Deserving Staff Member Honored for Her Hard Work in Many Social Justice Platforms

Last month, Natalie Brown received the Church Women United in Arizona 2012 Human Rights Award.

Natalie Brown's human rights work extends into many arenas. Serving as the Resource Coordinator, Natalie's current position with Iskashitaa is a placement as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), which is the domestic branch of the Peace Corps designed to increase the capacity of non-profits.

Ms. Brown has a deep passion for public health and works to improve access to health education and healthcare for all. She has taught about HIV/AIDS in schools, churches, mosques, and civic clubs in Arizona, Sonora, and most notably in villages surrounding Arusha, Tanzania through her work with Support for International Change. She currently serves as the AIDS Task Force Chairperson for the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. She has also done contract work with the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society on projects related to AIDS education and family planning. She presented a workshop entitled "Models of U.S. AIDS Ministries" at the Lighten the Burden International AIDS Conference in 2010.

Natalie has been a long term volunteer with Clinica Amistad, a healthcare clinic in South Tucson that offers free medical care to the uninsured. She currently serves as Clinic Coordinator as well as a member of the Board of Directors.

Ms. Brown grew up on the Colorado River Indian Reservation in Parker, Arizona and understands the injustices that indigenous people still face. She is a founding board member of Whisper n Thunder, a non-profit whose aim is to empower Native Americans through education, awareness, and opportunity.

Natalie has also worked with the Reconciling Ministries Teams of First United Methodist and St. Francis United Methodist Churches to advocate for full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals.

We congratulate Natalie for her advocacy and continued perseverance in protecting human rights in Tucson and abroad. Iskashitaa is honored to have her working with us.