The Delta Research and Educational Foundation, under the auspices of its Center for Research on African American Women, established the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Social Justice in 2009 in honor of the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio)

Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D)
U.S. House of Representatives

The overall goal of the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Institute for Social Justice (STJ Institute) is to prepare women of color for leadership roles that impact public policy and social conditions on the local, regional, national, and international levels. The STJ Institute provides a forum for African American women to receive training and educational opportunities designed to advance their work as elected officials, community activists/advocates, and civic leaders. The STJ Institute is a collaborative effort of The Delta Research and Educational Foundation and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, co-founders of The Center.

Each year, the STJ Institute presents an annual forum at Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital in collaboration with the National Social Action Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The Institute offers training and educational opportunities to prepare women for leadership roles in civic affairs, community activities, or elected office. Currently, the STJ Institute offers an annual summer internship for young women to work in the U.S. Congress.  The STJ Internship offered by DREF is sponsored in collaboration with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.

Ten internships have been awarded since the program’s inception in 2012.  The students selected as interns are:

• Oladunni M. Oni, George Mason University 2023
• Lydia Fertil, Florida State University 2022
• Tyshara Loynes, University of Indianapolis, 2021
• Mara Brody, Bethune-Cookman University 2019
• Saleshia Ellis, Florida State University 2018
• Taylor Dent, University of Illinois-Springfield 2017
• Subria Whitaker, University of Illinois 2016
• Kimberly Delk, Howard University 2015
• Kerlyne Jean-Baptiste, Brown University 2014
• Khanay Turner, Prairie View A&M University 2013
• Melissa Chin, Brown University 2012

(Note: The program was suspended in 2020 due to the public health emergency)

Sponsorship

A $100,000 gift from The Clinton Family Foundation, established by former President William Jefferson Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, was made to the STJ institute in 2011 to benefit the educational initiatives of the Institute.  Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was a colleague and dear and close friend of the Clintons.  The Institute was also supported by a $25,000 gift from DREF Board member Michele Hagans, a Washington, DC businesswoman.