WASHINGTON, April 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Maya Rockeymoore, president and CEO of Global Policy Solutions, has been elected to chair the board of directors of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare for a three-year term beginning June 2012.
As the first African American woman elected to chair the National Committee's board of directors, Dr. Rockeymoore will work with the organization's leadership to expand outreach and education initiatives to women and to communities of color, the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and among the most economically vulnerable.
"The National Committee has accomplished so much in its 30-year history and I look forward to helping build upon the legacy of U.S. Representative James Roosevelt to ensure that these programs are available for our children and grandchildren," said Dr. Rockeymoore. "People of color rely heavily on Social Security and Medicare. Together, we will help our communities become forceful advocates, ensuring that our leaders understand how communities of color use these programs and how they can be modernized to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse society."
Dr. Rockeymoore has been a member of the National Committee's board since 2005 and brings valued leadership as an income security expert working with African American, Latino and Asian American communities. She was vice president of research and programs at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, senior resident scholar for health and income security at the National Urban League, and served as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY). Dr. Rockeymoore is co-editor of Strengthening Community: Social Insurance in a Diverse America.
"Our nation's most successful poverty prevention programs continue to be in the cross-hairs of too many in Washington who believe we should cut middle-class benefits to pay for flawed fiscal policies which protect the wealthiest among us," said Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. "Dr. Rockeymoore has a long and successful career advocating for social change that strengthens rather than divides our nation. We are fortunate to have her leadership as board chair at this critical juncture in the history of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid."
Other elected National Committee board officers include vice chair Catherine Dodd, PhD, RN, Director of the San Francisco Health Service System; treasurer Shelly C. Shapiro, CPA; and secretary Patricia G. Archbold, DNSc, RN.
The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.
Global Policy Solutions is a social change strategy firm that develops strategic solutions that result in transformative benefits for people, communities, and the environment.
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