February 5: Barbara James

Barbara James

Nominator:

"Ms. Barbara James with Vaccines for All! I met Ms. Barbara early during the campaign to provide access to COVID-19 vaccines to all communities. She founded the organization in a sheer act of compassion for her community. She has grown this outreach organization and is now partnering with all of the vaccine providers in Middle Tennessee, including my Vanderbilt Mobile Vaccine Program program. She is also one of the most influential members of our collaboration in Tennessee to mitigate the COVID-19 crisis, the Tennessee Community Engagement Alliance against COVID-19 (TN CEAL). As shown in the picture above, she has received statewide recognition by receiving a Tennessee State Proclamation! Her work has connected life-saving vaccines to communities across Nashville. I am only one of her partners, but the Vanderbilt program has provided over 2,000 vaccination from events she has arranged or sponsored. If that were not enough, many of her outreach events, in addition to providing vaccines, have provided families with much-needed food and transportation services. She is truly a remarkable woman. I did not know her before the pandemic, but I am happy to call her a friend and colleague now. Knowing there are people like her committed to our world is an inspiration."