•Ecosystem Community, Awards
Julie Wright Changemaker Award
Honoring courageous, equity-focused education advocates driving change in West Contra Costa
2022 Honorees
Scottie Smith
Scottie Smith has been an education advocate for over 35 years. A West Contra Costa grandparent and community-based organization leader, she began working in Maryland as a parent volunteer in local schools. Smith was elected to serve as the first Special Needs Chair for the Montgomery County Public Schools. She co-founded The March 4 Education, a grassroots organization that advocates for equity in educational funding at the state and national levels. She currently provides personal advocacy and training sessions for parents, students, and social service agencies.
Tana Monteiro
Tana Monteiro has been working and advocating for Richmond families for over a decade. She serves on numerous Richmond non-profit boards and committees including West County Reads, The Healthy Richmond Schools and Neighborhood Team, and the Nystrom Catchment Family Engagement Project. Previously, Ms. Monteiro served as the Community Wellness Coordinator at YES Nature to Neighborhoods. Monteiro is committed to working with families and strives to make their voices heard as they work together to make a safer, healthier, and happier school and community.
About the JWCA
The Julie Wright Changemaker Award honors courageous, equity-focused education advocates working to improve student success in West Contra Costa public schools. Launched in 2022, the award celebrates the life and legacy of Julie Wright, who served as Executive Director of the Chamberlin Family Foundation from 2012 to 2018, and passed away in 2020.
Through this award, the Chamberlin Education Foundation recognizes those who embody Julie’s unwavering pursuit of education equity and access to high-quality public schools in West Contra Costa. Each JWCA honoree receives a monetary award of $5,000, as well as $10,000 to grant to local, youth-serving nonprofit organizations.
Nominate a changemaker for next year’s award!