On the evening of October 22, 2024, Women of the World (WoW), in collaboration with the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI), hosted a workshop focused on basic rights at the South Salt Lake Promise Co-Op. The third legal workshop in the four-part series was presented by Abby Dizon-Maughan, a dedicated member of UCLI’s fiduciary board. As an experienced litigator at Parsons and the Chairperson of the Criminal Justice Committee of the NAACP, Abby passionately enlightened community members about their essential residential rights in the USA. These rights encompass equal access to education, privacy in educational records, the essence of informed consent, and strategies for engaging with the police. Abby emphasized that these rights are particularly crucial for people of color, as these groups are often the most vulnerable to exploitation. One key point she made regarding medical treatment was to always ask the doctor: “What are the costs? What are the benefits? And what are the alternatives?” Abby advised that posing these questions could enhance the quality of care received and reduce the likelihood of being charged for unnecessary treatments.
A grateful community member captured the sentiment perfectly when they said, “People like Abby make this community better.” We extend our heartfelt thanks to Abby Dizon-Maughan for her unwavering commitment to the community, to the translators for their invaluable support, and to Halab’s Jasmine Kitchen for the delicious catered food. Together, we are building a more informed and hopeful future.
Abby teaches community members about their legal rights.
