On Thursday, October 17, 2013, Wheelock College President Jackie Jenkins-Scott and Wheelock first year student Zach Kerr were honored by Massachusetts Advocates for Children’s Annual Celebration. For her work as a community leader, public health and children’s advocate, and innovative administrator to improve the lives of children and families, President Jenkins-Scott was presented with a plaque from Hubie Jones. Prior to her tenure at Wheelock, Jenkins-Scott led the Dimock Community Health Center for 21 years as its CEO, taking it from the verge of bankruptcy to one of the premier community health centers in the country. Zach Kerr was awarded 2013 Youth Advocate of the Year for being a champion of LGBT advocacy. As a member of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBT Youth, he met with Governor Deval Patrick to advocate for updating the regulations on the recently amended student anti-discrimination law to include gender identity, a change that went into effect just a few months after that meeting. Kerr also met with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to discuss ways in which the DOE can support transgender students most effectively.
