Civic Nebraska honors Rachel Gibson with the 2026 Jan Gradwohl Defender of Democracy Award for her commitment to protecting voting access, bringing advocates together, and helping Nebraskans take an active role in their democracy.
Ask Rachel Gibson what civic engagement means to her, and she begins with something simple: the possibility of making things better.
“It means the ability to see something wrong and fix it. It is the path to envision a future that doesn’t yet exist and make it happen.”
That belief runs through Rachel’s work, whether she is collaborating with advocacy partners, mentoring someone learning to navigate the Legislature, or helping residents connect with their elected representatives. She sees what people can accomplish when they have the knowledge, encouragement, and relationships to take the next step.
As Action Vice President for the League of Women Voters of Nebraska, Rachel brings that commitment to issues affecting communities across the state. Her previous service on the Fair Maps redistricting committee, Education Policy Action Team, and Social Policy Action Team reflects a broad investment in how Nebraskans are represented and how public decisions shape their lives.
For those who work alongside her, Rachel’s willingness to take on difficult work is matched by her willingness to bring others into it. She values what her partners contribute and helps them keep moving forward when the challenges are complicated.
Her nominator, Clara Durham, described a colleague deeply invested in making sure all Nebraskans can participate in democracy, especially through access to the ballot.
She’s willing to take on and do the hard things and delivers without fail. She also humbly invites collaboration and expands the power of our efforts by instilling the belief and motivation to move through strategies and challenges together.
That approach has helped bring Nebraskans into the State Capitol through two successful People’s Day events Rachel planned and carried out. These gatherings give residents an opportunity to connect with lawmakers and speak about the issues that matter to them.
For someone unfamiliar with the Capitol or unsure how to begin a conversation with a senator, that invitation can matter. Having someone beside you can make participation feel possible. Rachel helps create those opportunities, connecting the decisions made in government with the people whose lives they affect.
Her service reaches beyond the League. Rachel serves on the boards of the Nebraska Alliance for Physician Advocacy and the Good Life Institute. As a Lobby School mentor with the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, she supports people developing their own advocacy skills. She has also contributed to committees and task forces within Westside Community Schools.
These commitments build on a decade spent working as an adviser, educator, and program coordinator at the University of Kansas, Wichita State University, and Creighton University. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Kansas.
Today, that experience in education finds a different expression in her civic work. Helping someone understand an unfamiliar process, ask questions, or recognize what they can contribute remains central to how she serves.
When asked how she feels about receiving the Jan Gradwohl Defender of Democracy Award, Rachel’s first words were “honored and humbled.” Her thoughts quickly turned to the people around her.
“I am constantly reminded of what a truly incredible group of people I get to work with as part of the League of Women Voters and with coalition members, including Civic Nebraska. This recognition from a community I so deeply appreciate and admire touches me and strengthens my resolve for us to keep fighting together.”
That appreciation is part of what makes Rachel’s leadership worth celebrating. The relationships behind the work matter to her. So does the shared responsibility to keep showing up.
Rachel believes democracy asks us to imagine what could be different and then help make it happen, for ourselves and for the people around us.
“Shaping our world together through civics and democracy requires us to stay curious, empathetic, and purposeful.”
Her work reflects the connection between one person’s willingness to act and the strength of a community acting together. A mentor can help a new advocate find their confidence. A trusted partner can help a coalition move through a difficult moment. An invitation to the Capitol can help someone see that their voice belongs there.
Rachel Gibson is a Defender of Democracy because she puts that belief into practice. She takes on the hard work, welcomes others into it, and helps sustain the relationships that make progress possible. We are proud to celebrate her dedication and the many ways she helps Nebraskans strengthen democracy together.
Join us in celebrating Rachel and her fellow honorees at Civic Nebraska’s Strengthening Democracy Awards on Sept. 17.
2026 Jan Gradwohl Defender of Democracy Award Honorable Mention
Sandy Griffin