Voice for Human Services: Michelle Jackson '04

Michelle Jackson ’04 (at microphone) likes to talk. This inclination serves her well: She recently met with 400 nonprofit organizations across New York State in a single week, recruiting for the campaign she’s leading to build visibility and financial resources for human services agencies and workers.

“Our long-term vision is a statewide network with political force and a budget commitment,” said Jackson, deputy director and general counsel for the Human Services Council in New York City. “At the city level, we’ve already seen a lot of success.”

Advocating for those in need is nothing new for Jackson. A politics major at Saint Mary’s, she became involved with the Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action (CILSA) and Bonner Leader Program, working with local community groups and helping to start the Social Action Leadership Team on campus.

“My interest in social justice and law solidified at Saint Mary’s. That launched where I am now,” said Jackson.

She went on to Suffolk University Law School, focusing on international human rights. Volunteering with Shelter Legal Services, Jackson helped poor and homeless women. She also interned with the International Consortium for Law and Development, where her work included a treatise on incorporating women’s rights in the Iraqi constitution.

“That was fascinating and exposed me to policy and legislation,” said Jackson, who joined the Human Services Council as a policy analyst after law school.

Now there nine years, she explained, “I’ve stayed because the organizations I represent and what they’re doing in the community are incredible. I’m also proud that we have increased the visibility of human services in New York and made people in power pay attention.”

Jackson could become one of those people. Still interested in politics, she may someday run for office. Jackson said, “I’m pondering that now, but I definitely see myself in this organization for awhile.”