About the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program

Barbara Jordan was a former trustee of the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the first black woman from the South elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. As a member of the United States Congress and the Texas State Legislature, Barbara Jordan’s distinguished career was exemplified by her tireless advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. She brought this passion to her work, inspiring others to become involved in addressing challenging health policy issues.

The Kaiser Family Foundation established the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program in 2000 to honor the legacy of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan and develop leadership skills in health policy for a diverse and highly talented group of young people interested in addressing issues affecting communities of color and other underserved populations. The Program, based at Howard University, brought rising college seniors and recent college graduates to Washington, D.C., where they were placed in congressional offices to learn about health policy issues, with a focus on issues affecting communities of color and underserved populations. More than 170 young leaders participated in the Program over its 13 year tenure. Upon completion, many Scholars went on to complete graduate degrees in health-related fields and accepted jobs at agencies and organizations working in the field of health policy. As this network of alumni Scholars continues to advance their careers, they further extend the legacy of Barbara Jordan and her strong commitment to public service and health policy.

The last class of Scholars served in 2012.  The Foundation is no longer accepting applications.