PORTLAND – The Maine Civil Liberties Union has chosen a woman who grew up in eastern Maine to be its new executive director.

Shenna L. Bellows now works with the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, D.C., where she is the national field organizer, according to the MCLU. Bellows, who grew up in the town of Hancock, begins her job in March.

She replaces Louise Roback, who stepped down last September after two years on the job.