Monica Adams is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work. Guided by 25 years of direct social work practice with disenfranchised populations, Dr. Adams’ research addresses health disparities from a strengths perspective. As a researcher, she strives to empower practitioners from various disciplines to develop strength based interventions to reduce and eliminate health disparities. Dr. Adams’ dissertation focused on identifying socio environmental protective factors against overweight and obesity among women with low incomes. She is also interested in advancing an understanding of the role of public policies as both an inhibitor and promoter of health disparities, and interested in developing strength based health messages tailored to the specific needs of marginalized populations (e.g., motherhood status, racial/ethnic minorities, and low income populations).
The One Billion Rising: Rise for Freedom event in the Binghamton University College of Community Affairs condemns sexual violence and celebrates women while offering resources and support for victims of abuse.
My personal hope for today is that this space not only offers empowerment but also begins our journey to healing. The reality is that there are women in this space today who have already experienced physical abuse or sexual abuse. The burden of stigma and shame that is thrust upon women and girls has created a silence that has led to a culture where violence against women is the norm and somehow our fault.