Stephanie Gilliland is an accomplished advocate. Growing up in rural Indiana as the younger sibling of a disabled brother, Stephanie developed a strong sense of responsibility and advocacy from an early age. Following high school, she enlisted in the United States Army. Upon completing her military service, she joined the State of Indiana’s workforce development sector, serving as a Disabled Veteran’s Outreach Placement Coordinator and subsequently as a Local Veteran’s Employment Representative. This experience led to her acceptance of a federal position with the US Department of Labor in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Stephanie has also been an active union representative with AFSCME, NCFLL, and AFGE, holding various positions including Steward, Head Steward, Vice President, President, and District National Women’s Advisory Coordinator for Washington, D.C., and Europe. After retiring from federal service in 2021, she returned to her hometown to continue her legacy of service.
Stephanie’s most recent and current volunteer activities include founding Lily’s House, an organization that provides information, referrals, and assistance to minority, multicultural, and multiracial individuals and families in rural communities, serving as the Chair of the Miami County Democratic Party Women’s Committee for two years and currently serving as the Miami County Democratic Party Chairperson, serving her fourth year as Treasurer for the Indiana Federation of Democratic Women, and serving as an Executive Board member of the Indiana National Organization for Women in the role of Racial Justice Coordinator.
Stephanie is also a former mayoral candidate, dedicated mother of three, grandmother of twelve, and wife to her husband, Roger.