Q&A: Angela Ziegenhorn, Vice President, Legal, at Netflix
"Doing something with a purpose energized me and reminded me how we can all make a difference."
Why did you start volunteering with the Law Foundation?
Early in my career, I volunteered to help abused women in San Francisco and later was on the Board of the Legal Aid Society in San Mateo. I loved that work and saw how important it is for people to have access to advocates. As my family grew, I found less time for legal volunteering but now that my kids are older, I wanted to find a way to contribute again. I had a friend who mentioned the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley and when I saw their Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic, I knew this was an area I wanted to invest my time in. My son is transgender and this is a community that I really care about helping.
How has your experience been?
It's been very personally rewarding and fulfilling. The clients that I've had the opportunity to help so far greatly appreciate the assistance with obtaining a court order for their name and gender marker changes. Having helped my son through this same process, I know how much this seemingly simple change has meant in his day to day life.
What is special about volunteering with the Law Foundation?
The Law Foundation staff is very welcoming and open to ideas from their volunteers. I am personally interested in seeing what more can be done to help the transgender community and the staff have been wonderful about listening and exploring ideas. I felt like what I could contribute was really valued.
The Law Foundation offered a comprehensive training for volunteers that addressed both the nuts and bolts of the legal forms and process related to name and gender marker changes as well as a good overview of gender awareness issues. The training really prepared you to work with this community and have conversations that enabled the clients to feel at ease working with the clinic volunteers. It was very well done, very laid out, and easy to follow. Transitioning to doing it virtually, the Law Foundation team has been really focused on making sure volunteers have all the right information so we can continue this work even if we aren't in-person.
Is there a moment that stands out to you?
The first person I helped. When we sat down, I could tell he was a little nervous. Understandably so-he's had to show up at this place, he wants help with his legal paperwork, and he doesn't know me. Being able to sit down and start with "Hi, my name is Angela, my pronouns are she and her. What are yours?" I could see the relief in his face. I could see him relax and we had a great conversation. The training really led me to start on the right note. It seemed like he felt he was in a safe space where he could get what he needed, and it wasn't going to be a struggle. Knowing how many not safe places there are for transgender people through my son's own experience, I felt grateful to be part of an the organization providing a crucial service in a safe place.
What would you tell someone who is thinking of volunteering?
I personally still struggle with finding time to volunteer. But carving out a small amount of time to help people in our community, especially groups who are heavily impacted by COVID-19, gave me back far more than the investment I made. Doing something with a purpose energized me and reminded me how we can all make a difference.