In the midst of a global health pandemic, there is another one no one is talking about. Yolanda M. Gordon was born and raised in the Rock Hill area and attended Rock Hill public schools. She is the mother of three children. Yolanda started her advocacy journey in the disability advocacy arena after her younger children were diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. She learned how to advocate for her children’s educational needs. She also assisted parents in understanding the nuances of the federal education laws and how they intersected with state education laws. She has since worked to end poverty and how families experience safety net programs in the United States. Yolanda is a former safety net program recipient. She currently works at RESULTS Educational Fund as the Senior Associate of Expansion and Advocacy. Her role includes being the coordinator for the RESULTS Organizing and Advocacy Fellowship which teaches young leaders, ages 20-35, how to speak to their members of Congress about ending poverty, making tax credits permanent, investment in global education, global nutrition, and affordable housing. She is also a leader with her work on anti-oppression, intersectionality and poverty, and its effects on individuals and families. She has used her experience to lobby Congressional leaders of South Carolina on the needs of families in the state to ensure that their voices are heard. With over 400 phones calls, 30 pieces of media, and over 80 lobby visits, Yolanda has become proficient in helping others advocate for themselves to make the greatest impact. Yolanda is a Moth Trained storyteller and has spoken at many conferences from Missouri State University to George Washington University. She currently lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at [ Ссылка ]
