Washington, D.C. - Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, today announced the selection of Briana Webster as the first recipient of the Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice in honor of the memory of the late Senator Paul D. Wellstone from Minnesota. Over 300 candidates applied for the fellowship, which seeks to promote equity in health care and advance Families USA's work with communities of color.
"The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice provides a unique opportunity to honor the memory of the late Senator Wellstone by stressing the profound impact of health disparities in America, especially in communities of color," said Families USA's Executive Director Ron Pollack. "I am sure that Briana will make a tremendous contribution to this cause as the first-ever Wellstone Fellow."
Webster, a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has a B.S. in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-Senator Wellstone's Alma Mater. While at UNC, she has been an active member of Student Help Outreach (SHOUT), a student organization that works to ensure that all children in the local community have health insurance.
"I am truly honored to have been selected by Families USA to be the recipient of the first Wellstone Fellow," said Briana Webster. "I look forward to continuing Senator Wellstone's legacy of passionate commitment to those who lack adequate access to healthcare. I hope that this experience will enable me to make a positive impact on the status of healthcare in our country."
In her current efforts towards social justice and the elimination of health disparities, she volunteers at community fairs to make sure parents are aware of coverage options for their children. Webster also volunteered in the UNC hospital's emergency room as a patient advocate for all patients and an interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients.
In addition, she sat on Durham County's Gun Safety Team, making presentations on gun safety awareness at local conferences and businesses. Webster also has worked with UNC's Department of Pediatrics' Firearm Injury Prevention Project over the last two years, conducting the first community assessment of firearm injuries in Durham, NC.
Families USA worked closely with Wellstone Action - a non-profit organization dedicated to continuing Paul and Sheila Wellstone's fight for economic justice and progressive social change - in the development of the new fellowship. "There is no better way to honor Paul Wellstone's memory than by providing young people the opportunity to work on social justice issues and progressive public policy," said Jeff Blodgett, Executive Director of Wellstone Action. "We thank Families USA for creating the Wellstone Fellowship, and congratulate Briana Webster on her selection. Her work will help keep Paul Wellstone's dream of justice and fairness for all alive!"
Bio of Briana Webster
