Mary Caferro of Montana Is Recognized for Her Work in Social Justice

Caferro Receives the Families USA Consumer Health Advocate of the Year Award

Washington, D.C. - Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, presented Mary Caferro with the Consumer Health Advocate of the Year Award at the annual Families USA Health Action conference.

The award, presented every year since 1998, recognizes outstanding contributions on behalf of our nation's health care consumers. The award was presented to Ms. Caferro for her commitment to social justice and her relentless work on behalf of the people of Montana. 

“Mary Caferro is a passionate advocate devoted to social justice for low-income individuals,” said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. “She was instrumental in working to raise the CHIP eligibility levels in Montana so that more needy families will have access to the program.”

Mary Caferro, a former TANF recipient, is a mother of four and a native of Montana. Since 1999, she has been a member of Working for Equality and Economic Liberation (WEEL), a grassroots economic and social justice organization. WEEL seeks to ensure that those most affected by poverty are civically engaged and part of the democratic process, from voting to policy creation and implementation. Ms. Caferro served as a VISTA volunteer at WEEL and then went on to become an Organizer/Advocate, Policy Specialist, and now, the Executive Director. 

In May 2006, Ms. Caferro and WEEL members and staff drafted their Beyond Poverty legislative platform for economic justice through economic development. The platform helped to focus policy discussions on ensuring that Montana state programs address the needs of lower-income people. Through advocacy and empowerment, WEEL continues to engage those affected by poverty in the decisionmaking process.

Ms. Caferro also serves in the Montana State Legislature, representing House District 80. In 2006, Ms. Caferro was named a Flemming Fellow for her courage and her commitment to public service and social justice. She is also on the board for Kids Count MT.

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

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