Talk to the Author: Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins

Please join the LWV Massachusetts at 6:00 PM (CT) on May 6th for a webinar featuring Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins talking about her book “The Untold Story of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters”.

As you know, Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins was the first (and so far, only) African American woman to hold the position of President of LWV. Her book explores the ways women of color have been marginalized and recognizes how their contributions will positively influence the League as it moves into its next 100 years. We’ve included a brief bio, below.

To register, please click  here. We invite you to circulate this email among your League networks as we would love to have a large audience for this.

For more information about Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins’ book (including a 20% off coupon) click here.

Biography of Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins

Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins served as the 15th President of the League of Women Voters of the United States and Chair of the League of Women Voters Education Fund, 1998-2002. She served as a member of the national Board of Directors of the League from 1994-2002 and was Second Vice-President, 1996-1998. As a two-term president, Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins led the education and advocacy work of this grassroots organization on a wide range of public policy issues. A native of Ohio, Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins has been a League member since 1982 and is the only woman of African-American descent to head the organization, established in 1920.

During her years of service at the national level, Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins oversaw several comprehensive League initiatives. These included the 1996 Get Out the Vote campaign, which registered more than 50,000 voters nationally; the Wired for Democracy project, which increased voter education and participation via the Web; and the League’s strategic plan, “The Future Plan” which emphasized keeping the League relevant through diversity, equity and inclusion.

Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins has worked in public and private school systems and higher education since 1974. A firm believer in the value of public schools, she has served in a variety of leadership positions in Ohio, Colorado, and nationally. She moved to North Carolina in 2014 to work at the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy. She currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill.

Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Urban Education from Cleveland State University, Ohio; an Education Specialist (EdS) from Kent State University, Ohio; a Master of Education (MEd) from John Carroll University, Ohio; and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Education/Political Science from Western College, Ohio.