Dora Clayton-Jones receives Vel R. Phillips Trailblazer Award

During yesterday’s 13^h Annual Girls’ Day at City Hall event, Dr. Dora Clayton-Jones received the Vel R. Phillips Trailblazer Award for her service to the community. The Vel R. Phillips Trailblazer Award Selection Committee chose Dr. Clayton-Jones, and Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs helped present the award, which recognizes a female city resident who exemplifies Vel R. Phillips’ legacy of selfless service and trailblazing work toward improving the quality of life for residents in Milwaukee.

Also at the event, Ciera Lee received the Girls’ Day @ City Hall Scholarship Award ($500). Ciera is a freshman psychology major at UW-Whitewater.  Ms.  Lee has attended Girls’ Day several times and participated in Girls’ Shadow Day @ City Hall.

Dr. Clayton-Jones is an assistant professor at Marquette University in the College of Nursing. She teaches her students about health equity and social justice as part of her curriculum, and encourages her students to become advocates in these areas.  She also conducts research on sickle cell anemia and includes young people in her research to identify and prioritize solutions. As a leader of the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses and Professional Associates, and the Sickle Cell Disease Coalition, she has worked tirelessly to support local and national policies for SCD care and support. Her efforts led to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors unanimously recognizing September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month in 2019. Additionally, Dr. Clayton-Jones played a pivotal role in the passing of the Sickle Cell Disease Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act (H.R. 2410) in 2017, the introduction of the Sickle Cell Expansion Act of 2022, and the introduction of the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act in 2021.

“Through her leadership Dr. Clayton-Jones has exemplified the spirit of Vel Phillips by helping raise awareness of and advocate for important issues affecting Milwaukee while also engaging future generations along the way,” Alderwoman Coggs said. “It was my honor to bestow this year’s Vel R. Phillips Trailblazer award to Dr. Clayton-Jones.”

Alderwoman Coggs also credited Ciera Lee on winning the scholarship award.

“Ciera has demonstrated dedication and scholastic achievement that puts her on a pathway to success and to higher education, and I was honored to recognize her as the 2023 recipient of the Girls’ Day @ City Hall Scholarship Award,” the alderwoman said.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.