During the 12 years he served as a Senator from Minnesota, Paul D. Wellstone

earned a reputation as an advocate for social justice and as an outspoken champion for those who lack a voice in the national arena. Senator Wellstone was also a strong and vocal proponent of high-quality, affordable health care for all. To honor his life and legacy, Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, established the Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice in 2004.

The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice is designed to foster the advancement of social justice through participation in health care advocacy work that focuses on the unique challenges facing many communities of color.

Through this fellowship, Families USA hopes to expand the pool of talented social justice advocates from underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups, particularly from the Black/African American, Latino, American Indian, and Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The goals of the Wellstone fellowship program are three-fold:

1. To address disparities in access to health care.
2. To inspire Wellstone Fellows to continue to work for social justice throughout their lives.
3. To increase the number and racial and ethnic diversity of up-and-coming social justice advocates and leaders.

Families USA will select one talented and motivated candidate to fill this 12-month fellowship.

ABOUT PAUL WELLSTONE

Paul Wellstone was a professor of political science at Carleton College for 21 years before being elected in 1990 to the first of two terms in the United States Senate. Senator Wellstone strongly believed that the purpose of holding public office was to serve others, and he lived his convictions. His time in the Senate was distinguished by his devotion to liberal causes, including a strong commitment to the achievement of universal health care for all Americans. Senator Wellstone served on the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, where he authored successful legislation on health care issues. On October 25, 2002, his mission was cut short when he died in a plane crash. However, his death stimulated interest in his progressive political vision, and his life inspired others to act in the interest of the common good.

FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTION

The Wellstone Fellow plays an integral role in the work of Families USA’s Minority Health Initiatives Department. The Wellstone Fellow’s primary responsibilities include assisting in the organization of trainings for community leaders and journalists and drafting policy briefs, fact sheets, and other publications. During the year, the Wellstone Fellow will learn about Medicare, Medicaid, efforts to achieve universal coverage, and other important health policy issues. Specifically, the fellow will learn how these issues play a role in reducing racial and ethnic health disparities and improving the health of communities of color. At the same time, the Wellstone Fellow will learn about conducting health care campaigns through communication and collaboration with our network of state grassroots advocates and organizations.

The fellowship will last one year, from August 2007 through July 2008, and fellows will receive a compensatory package that includes an annual stipend of $35,000 and excellent health care benefits. One fellow is selected each year.

QUALIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES

The Wellstone Fellowship is designed to increase the number of black/African American, Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian social justice leaders. Candidates seeking consideration for the Wellstone Fellowship must demonstrate an interest in health care policy and racial and ethnic health disparities. Applicants should also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to social justice work following their year of hands-on experience as a fellow. While there is no bias in favor of any specific academic discipline, a college degree is preferred. There is no minimum GPA to qualify for consideration.

Please follow the application directions carefully. To apply for the Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice, candidates must submit the following:

• What you must submit: a completed application form, a response to one essay topic, and a resume.
• What others must submit on your behalf: an official copy of your most recent college or graduate school transcript (not required for applicants who have not been in school for three or more years) and three letters of recommendation from academic, professional, and/or other references who can attest to your community involvement.

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