We had the good fortune of connecting with Sydney Haney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sydney, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by the power of community. The resilience of working-class people, especially young folks (like myself), who continue to show up, speak out, and fight back, even when the odds are stacked against us. I’m constantly fueled by the people around me, organizers and activists, who dream bigger than the systems built to contain us. I find inspiration in our collective resistance, in the healing that happens through solidarity, and in the unshakable belief that we deserve better, and we’re going to build it.

I’m also inspired by quiet courage.The kind it takes to rest. To choose care in a culture that demands constant production. I draw strength from those who create joy in the midst of struggle, who tell the truth even when it’s inconvenient, and who hold space for both grief and hope. I’m inspired by the art, music, and culture that reflect our stories and the history for our communities, knowing that we walk in the footsteps of those who fought before us, and that our actions now shape what future generations will inherit.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey started in 2020, with sidewalk chalk at the police station—a simple act, but one that ignited the fire that would become Youngblood Advocacy (YBA). At 18, I founded YBA, a coalition of millennials and Gen Z organizers focused on racial justice, working to support families impacted by police violence. But activism came at a personal cost: just a year into the work, my family home was targeted. I stepped away for a year and a half to protect myself and my loved ones, needing space to grieve and regain my strength.

During my time away, I worked as a real estate assistant. It was eye-opening. I witnessed the housing crisis from the wrong side—watching working-class people get displaced, priced out, and ignored. That experience deepened my understanding of systemic inequality and gave me skills—CRM systems, data management, and digital strategy—that would later strengthen my organizing.

When the rumors of Dobbs started circulating, I knew I couldn’t stay silent any longer. Alongside two other women, I co-founded Pueblo Pro-Choice, a reproductive justice organization in Pueblo, Colorado, to fight for abortion access in our community.

In November 2022, when I was 21, the first anti-abortion ordinance was introduced by a Pueblo City Council member. The ordinance aimed to prohibit the delivery of tools and medicines used for abortions, citing the federal Comstock Act of 1873. We organized over 400 people in our community, and on December 12, 2022, Pueblo City Council voted 4-3 to table the ordinance indefinitely, defeating it. That moment confirmed for me that I was meant to return to activism full-time.

Shortly after, I became a fellow with a statewide reproductive rights organization, working to ensure everyone has the freedom to make the health decisions that are right for them, free from stigma and systemic barriers. Notable work during this time included presenting at the Public Health in the Rockies Conference and launching efforts to distribute free menstrual products in Pueblo’s middle and high schools.

I then became the Digital and Data Organizer, where I applied the CRM, data, and communications skills I gained in real estate to community organizing. In 2024, I helped pass Amendment 79, expanding abortion protections in Colorado. That year also saw the founding of Cobalt Workers United, the union where I proudly fought for dignity and justice in the workplace. This experience reinforced the idea that our values must be lived in every space, including where we work. I also became a delegate to the Southern Colorado Labor Council, where I continue to fight for workers across the region.

In October 2024, the Pueblo City Council revisited abortion access, introducing a second anti-abortion ordinance. Once again, I organized my community, and the council voted 4-3 against advancing the ordinance to a public hearing.

Alongside these battles, I co-founded the Pueblo Young Democrats to create a political home for young people eager to lead. In early 2025, I was elected First Vice Chair of the Pueblo Democratic Party.

I still hold and participate in all of these roles. While Youngblood Advocacy was disbanded in 2021, Pueblo Pro-Choice is thriving and nearing 500 members. I continue to work with the statewide reproductive rights organization, remain a proud member of Cobalt Workers United, stay active within the Southern Colorado Labor Council, and engage with the Pueblo Young Democrats every other Friday. I’m excited to continue my work as First Vice Chair of the Pueblo Democratic Party, knowing that change is on the horizon.

None of this has been easy. I’ve navigated grief, burnout, and being underestimated because of my age, gender, and background. But I keep showing up. What sets me apart is that I organize from lived experience. I’ve seen how systems fail the people I love, and I’ve chosen to fight back with everything I have.

What I want the world to know about me and my work is this: I’m in it to build something lasting—for those who come after us. I believe in power rooted in community, led by young people, and sustained through solidarity. This isn’t a career. It’s a lifelong build—and I’m just getting started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit Pueblo for a week:

Day 1: Downtown + Riverwalk Vibes
We’d start the trip with a walk along the Riverwalk, not just because it’s beautiful, but because it’s surrounded by local gems. We’d stop by Fuel & Iron for food and community vibes, then grab a drink from one of our local breweries or coffee shops nearby. If it’s the first Friday of the month, we’d head straight to First Friday Art Walk on Union Ave to see local artists, creatives, and vendors taking over downtown with life and color.

Day 2: History, Roots, and Culture
We’d visit the El Pueblo History Museum, where Pueblo’s story, one of migration, resistance, and deep cultural pride, comes alive. We’d make sure to stop by some murals around town and support local artists while we’re at it.

Day 3: Pueblo Eats + Local Love
We’d eat our way through the city, green chile on everything, of course. From The Gold Dust and Coors, to newer spots like B Street Café, there’s no shortage of flavor. But one of my favorite parts of Pueblo is our thriving food truck scene. The Food Truck Union isn’t just about food, it’s about community. The Food Truck Union is a collab co-op of the owners of Southern Colorado’s food trucks/trailers operating in the city limits of Pueblo, CO.

Day 4: Organizing + Community Power
We’d spend the day volunteering or attending a local event. Pueblo is home to so many nonprofit organizations and mutual aid groups that are doing real work, fighting for justice, providing care, holding space and doing mutual aid. You can almost always find me tabling, speaking, or organizing at coalition spaces with our broader community. I’d bring my friend along so they could see what solidarity looks like up close.

Day 5: Nature + Rest
We’d take a day to slow down and reconnect with nature. We’d head out to Lake Pueblo Reservoir, camping, hiking, swimming, or just sitting by the water. If we’re feeling adventurous, we’d head up to Bishop’s Castle in Rye, an architectural miracle tucked into the forest.

Day 6: Art, Music, and Expression
Back in town, we’d check out local events, maybe a poetry night, community art show, or open mic. Pueblo has a rich culture of self-expression, and I’d want my friend to witness how we show up for one another creatively. There’s always something happening, just check Facebook Events or stop by the library or a local mutual aid pop-up.

Day 7: Sunday Reset
We’d finish the trip with brunch, maybe at Solar Roast, then walk through Mineral Palace Park or catch a movie at the Mesa Drive-In if it’s open. We’d reflect on the week—the people we met, the stories we heard, and the pride of a city that’s often overlooked but is never lacking.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Pueblo community, often underestimated, but rich in resilience, heart, and people who never stop showing up for one another.

To my mentors, who saw my potential before I could, and helped shape the leader I’m becoming.

To the young people who organize, resist, and dream alongside me, you inspire me to keep pushing.

My union family, who show me every day the power of solidarity,

Website: https://linktr.ee/sydneyhaney

Instagram: @sunny.sydn3y

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-haney-3844a2317?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@curlyconvospodcast?si=1mahpjliLPT-JheK

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