In Memoriam: Elizabeth (Libby) Goff

Earlier this month, Arizona lost a true champion for the Common Good, and most of you probably didn’t even realize it. This individual wasn’t a legislator, journalist, or a household name, but wow, was she accomplished. 

She worked quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes, and never asked for anything in return as she knocked doors, wrote postcards, volunteered on school district committees, and sat on nonprofit boards. 

She showed up to meetings and protests and gave generously to causes she cared about. 

That is how I got to know Libby Goff. When I was on the Creighton School District Governing Board, Libby Goff helped promote and pass our bonds and overrides, volunteered on curriculum committees, and helped with our strategic planning process. 

Later, when I ran for Maricopa County Superintendent in 2020, Libby helped gather signatures and get the word out about my vision for Maricopa County schools. In 2022 and 2024, Libby knocked on doors for candidates all over the Valley. 

She regularly provided information to people all over the state in her capacity as a board member with Save Our Schools Arizona. 

Libby and her family have been generous supporters of Secular AZ and the work that we do, and she was a fierce defender of the Constitution and the separation of religion and government. 

When I heard the news last week, I felt I’d been punched in the gut. How could someone so passionate, so kind, and so devoted to the Common Good be taken so soon?  

A friend wrote something to honor her memory, and it sums up the loss so many people are feeling right now: 

She was running.

———

Until her last day, she was running.

When ballots needed curing, she was running to the doors.

When candidates were launching, she was running to support. 

When teachers were attacked, she was running towards the fight.

When the offices opened, she was running to open that door.

When we were divided, she was running towards the truth through kindness and harmony.

She was running.

Imagine if we were all running, too. She taught us running didn’t always mean ‘for office’.

In this spirit, she ran for everything.

She ran for us.

She was always running. 

———

Hold your loved ones a little bit tighter today, Secular FAM. 

- Secular AZ Executive Director Jeanne Casteen

THIS WEEK IN SECULAR NEWS

"Yeah, So How About Maybe NOT Repealing the Johnson Amendment" - Freethought Caucus to IRS: Last week, we learned that the the IRS is attempting to nullify the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits nonprofits (including religious institutions) from endorsing political candidates. This will allow faith leaders to openly back candidates during religious services, leading to political endorsements that influence congregations and further blur lines between church and state. Echoing those of us who don't think telling congregations "God wants you to vote this way" is good for democracy, the  Congressional Freethought Caucus has written a letter to the IRS Commissioner urging a reversal of this legal position.

New challenge to abortion bans: An appeals court in Kentucky has allowed a Jewish woman to challenge the state's abortion ban, arguing it infringes on her religious freedom and creates uncertainty for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Jessica Kalb, who has frozen embryos, was granted standing while two other plaintiffs were not. The case will return to a lower court to clarify the law's implications for IVF and religious beliefs. Read more.  

Using faith as a weapon: Once fringe, violent religious ideologies are now mainstream on the political right (and funded by cynical billionaires). The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism takes a deep dive into how white Christian nationalist movements are imposing theocratic rule, criminalizing dissent, and influencing policy. One silver lining? Americans seem to be waking up to the threat posed by these extremists. More from GPAHE. 

Passport updates: The State Department is currently processing passport updates for transgender individuals due to a court order (thank you, ACLU!), offering a temporary opportunity for accurate identity documents. This offers a brief respite for transgender and nonbinary folks who've been blocked in getting passports matching their gender identity. The government seeks to reverse this injunction, so now is the time to update passports. Read more.