Congratulations to AFGE Local 1061 President Dewanda Mitchell for receiving a doctorate degree in humanitarianism for three decades of activism and advocacy on behalf of workers, veterans, and cancer survivors.
Mitchell received the doctorate degree from the Global International Alliance Advocate University at a ceremony in London on Dec. 3. She was one of the 50 recipients out of 150 women nominees around the world who have done great things and made a difference in their communities. She also received the Superwoman Award at the Parliament in London.
Mitchell has been involved in the labor movement since 1988. A retired 20-year Army veteran who served as a military police and correctional officer, she joined the Department of Veterans Affairs where she became the first African American chief of police for the VA Outpatient Clinic Downtown L.A. in 1993.
When she lost her beloved aunt to ovarian cancer in 2004, she became involved in advocacy work trying to find a cure to the disease, including volunteering at the Ovarian Cancer Coalition of Greater California to help raise awareness and funds for research. Six years later, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer herself. Devastated, the only way for her to move forward was to dedicate herself to giving other women hope and finding a cure to the disease. She is currently president of the Ovarian Cancer Coalition of Greater California where she helped host annual 5K Walk/Runs, luncheons, and other events to help raise funds and awareness. She’s a two-time cancer survivor as she had also been diagnosed with breast cancer.
But her activism goes beyond raising awareness on labor and cancer issues. She regularly joins local organizations to feed the homeless and help veterans in need. She’s part of women veterans unity group, Inland Empire Divas, which helps raise awareness of the unique needs of women veterans. She also founded Dee Unlimited Corporation, an event planning company staffed by military veterans.
Mitchell was excited to be honored with the doctorate degree. She was nominated by Dr. Robbie Motter, founder of Global Society for Female Entrepreneurs.
After being nominated, the organization followed her work for three years – they contacted people who know her and followed her on social media – before choosing her as one of the recipients.
“When I got a call from the U.K. from Dr. Motter saying I was accepted and would be flying to London to receive a humanitarian doctorate degree, it was so surreal,” Mitchell told AFGE before boarding a flight to the U.K. capital. “I’m still in awe about the whole thing. People work years to get a doctorate degree. I’ve been doing the groundwork for this and never realized that I was going to be nominated.”
Asked what drove her to keep going and making a difference in her community, Mitchell said, “I have never allowed cancer to define or defeat my purpose and who I am. I just keep on going no matter what.”
Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition, Dee!
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