The executive director of the Maine Women’s Lobby, Destie Hohman Sprague, speaks about the organization and its current concerns.

The lobby was founded in 1978 by a group of women who were fighting for fund the state’s first battered women shelter. When they fell short on support, they decided to start the lobby to ensure there would always be someone inside the state house to represent the needs of girls and women. Gov. Janet Mills is among the founders.  

This article was updated on Aug. 11, 2025, to correct the spelling of Destie Hohman Sprague's name.