After serving as deputy assistant to the president and senior policy strategist during the early months of President Donald J. Trump’s second term, May Mailman has returned to lead the Independent Women’s Law Center in Washington, D.C. Mailman, who previously worked closely with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, played a significant role in several high-profile executive orders and initiatives related to sex definition, women’s sports, Title IX investigations, and more.
Heather R. Higgins, CEO of Independent Women, commented on Mailman’s return: “She is a visionary strategist and fearless advocate who delivers results. May’s strategic mind, legal precision, and clarity of purpose are unmatched. She has a rare ability to speak the truth, even when it is unpopular—and refreshingly funny and unfiltered. We are thrilled to have her unmatched strategic and policy acumen back at Independent Women.”
Mailman originally joined Independent Women in 2021 as a senior fellow before becoming director of the Law Center. She is credited with creating the organization’s tagline: “Tell Her Story, Change The World.” According to the organization, sharing personal stories alongside policy solutions has been central to its influence on culture and legislation.
Reflecting on her new role, Mailman said: “Independent Women is the irreplaceable group sharing the real stories, experiences, and policy preferences of women who want a brighter future than what liberalism and modern feminism promise. I’m grateful to be back with Independent Women to seek life-changing policies for women, our children, and our communities.”
During her prior tenure at Independent Women’s Law Center, Mailman focused on preserving women’s sports and advocating for clear sex-based definitions in law. This work influenced executive actions taken by President Trump regarding gender ideology and federal policy.
Mailman also served as lead counsel in Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in May 2024. The case centered on maintaining female-only sororities; while the court did not issue a definitive ruling on membership definitions for “woman,” Mailman continued efforts supporting single-sex spaces such as prisons and shelters.
In an opinion piece published by Fox News, she wrote: “If ‘woman’ has no meaning… then other legal protections for women could be jeopardized.”
Her work contributed to legislative changes such as Kansas overriding Governor Laura Kelly’s veto on Stand With Women legislation—a move that spurred similar action in eighteen states—and policy updates from organizations like LPGA and USGA regarding transgender participation.
Carrie Lukas, president of Independent Women, stated: “May Mailman is a brilliant legal mind and strategist. We are thrilled to have her serve as Independent Women’s Law Center Director. Under her leadership and the hard work of our entire team, I know the Law Center will continue to have an outsized impact in supporting constitutional government, justice and the rule of law.”
Beth Parlato added: “I am thrilled to welcome May back to Independent Women… Her brilliance and dedication were on full display during her service in the White House…”
Mailman now resumes leadership at Independent Women’s Law Center where she will focus on litigation, public testimony, media engagement, advocacy through IW Features programs—aimed at supporting individuals seeking justice—and movement building.
Additional background about Mailman’s career can be found through features published by outlets such as The Boston Globe (Meet the Harvard Law alum at the center of the White House’s campaign against Harvard), The Wall Street Journal (The Conservative Women Who Are ‘Having It All’), and CBS News (Longtime Trump insider May Davis Mailman departs White House).
