| Donalda Dodson |
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Donalda Dodson completed her BS in nursing at the University of Oregon in 1974 and her Masters in Public Health at the University of Washington in 1985.
She has been an advocate for women all her life, doing home visits to women and families and later playing a key role in shaping policies for women through advocacy on boards, commissions, advisory groups and as a director of county and state maternal and child health programs.
The issues Donalda’s advocacy has shaped range from the promotion of good health and nutrition practices for pregnant mothers, the prevention of birth defects, women’s reproductive health and family planning, immunizations, hunger relief, teen pregnancy prevention, education on the benefits of breast-feeding of infants, the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and increased awareness of the connection between public wellness and environmental health.
Deeply connected to her Native American (Nez Perce) heritage, Donalda has also advocated for access to health and well-being for women and children of diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. Her leadership has led to the priority now given to cultural competency in public health programs across the state of Oregon and in the Department of Human Services. Donalda has also been a key player in assuring access to quality Head Start programs for migrant children; and she has been a strong advocate for extending perinatal and pediatric care to underserved rural communities.
An outstanding leader, Donalda has demonstrated great skill in bringing together people from different institutions and backgrounds, using her natural talents for listening and learning, participatory management, consensus building, big picture thinking and respect for others, always steering the participants’ focus away from territorial concerns and onto finding solutions that best serve the interests of children and families.
Donalda truly shines as a role model of tireless advocacy for women, children and low-income people of all cultures and communities.
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