A person with short, wavy blonde hair is smiling at the camera. They are wearing oversized teal glasses and a navy blue top with buttons. Theres a blurred plant in the background.

Laney Hawes

Laney Hawes lives in Fort Worth, Texas, and is Co-Founder of Texas Freedom to Read Project. Laney is a passionate advocate for intellectual freedom, she’s mother to four Texas public school students, she’s an adventurer, and an avid storyteller. Her journey into fighting censorship began in 2021 when dozens of books were removed from her children’s school libraries and far-right PACs took control of her local school board.  Now, Laney is dedicated to empowering parents, supporting librarians, and defending the freedom to read in Texas and across America.