Jillian Owens is a recent graduate of The University of Oklahoma where she majored in sociology and minored in philosophy. Coming to OU on the heels of a horrific racist incident, she dedicated a significant amount of her time and energy to programming and organizing for Black students across multiple organizations. As a student leader, she led various initiatives aimed at retaining Black students, connecting them to essential resources, and ensuring that all students feel safe, supported, and welcomed both inside and outside the classroom.
Jillian’s passion for equity and justice led her to spend the Summer of 2022 working at Still She Rises Tulsa. It was here that she gained first-hand exposure to the challenges faced by those caught in the web of the legal system. Her experiences at SSR ignited a fervent desire within her to be a catalyst for change. This led her to take an internship at the Bail Project where her passion for engaging in criminal justice advocacy deepened.
Outside of her work at the ACLU, Jillian enjoys serving her community in other capacities. She is a proud “big sister” for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Norman where she has provided friendship and mentorship to her “little” for the past two years. Additionally, she serves as a Legal Aid Society Courthouse Navigator at the Cleveland County Courthouse.