WHAT: Swearing-in ceremony and a reception will be held Wednesday, Jan. 25, for newly elected Board of Governors member Danielle Atkinson and reelected member Marilyn Kelly. Governors Shirley Stancato and Terri Lynn Land will also be sworn in, as WSU was unable to formally welcome them following their election to the board due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 at 5 p.m. — Swearing-in ceremony; reception follows
WHERE: Wayne State University’s Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium, WSU Law School
471 W. Palmer, Detroit, MI 48202
MORE INFO: Newcomer Danielle Atkinson and reelected Marilyn Kelly, both Democrats, were elected to eight-year terms on Wayne State’s Board of Governors.
Recently elected board members Shirley Stancato and Terri Lynn Land — Democrat and Republican, respectively — were elected to eight-year terms on Wayne State’s Board of Governors, which began in 2021.
Atkinson, the founding director of Mothering Justice and Mothering Justice Action Fund, is a lifelong advocate for working families. She uses both of her national organizations to improve families’ lives and prepare the next generation of mother activists. A nationally recognized speaker with extensive experience as a church-based electoral and community organizer, Atkinson has trained more than 1,000 women and reached more than 500,000 mothers in voter engagement efforts. In addition to her work and success with leading national Mama Conversations; strengthening breastfeeding rights; ensuring licensure for Michigan Midwives; and protecting federal safety net programs and earned sick time in Michigan, Atkinson drafted the Mamas’ Agenda policy to address financial stability and issues of mothers in Michigan. From America Votes and State Voices to Population Connection and The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Atkinson continually works to create stronger, more equitable communities, which she will continue to do as a member of the Wayne State Board of Governors.
A Wayne State alumna born and raised in Detroit, Kelly is the distinguished jurist in residence at the Wayne State University Law School, where she teaches. Having served on the Michigan Supreme Court as chief justice, Michigan Court of Appeals, and Michigan State Board of Education as president, Kelly continues to bring an in-depth and valuable perspective to her reappointment on the Wayne State Board of Governors. Kelly’s extensive experience in public service reflects the many awards and honors she’s received. From earning the Michigan Education Association’s Distinguished Service Award to being named “Woman of the Year” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly and inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, Kelly has been recognized and celebrated by her community for her work to promote justice and equality for all.
A lifelong Michigander, Land brings years of experience as an elected leader to her tenure with the Wayne State Board of Governors. With work that began as early as high school, Land has a longstanding career serving in various political roles, including as Michigan’s 41st secretary of state and Kent County Clerk. Currently on the board of directors for Legacy Trust and a member of the South Kent Rotary, Land is passionate about community engagement and dedicated to creating inspired futures.
The vice chair for the Wayne State Board of Governors, Stancato is a Wayne State alumna, seasoned executive, prominent civic leader, expert on race relations, and advocate for social justice. A Detroit native, Stancato spent nearly two decades as the first female and longest-serving president of the nonprofit New Detroit, a coalition of leaders working to achieve racial understanding and equity in metro Detroit. Driven by making life better for people in Michigan, Stancato uses her experience as a former banking executive at what is now Chase Bank to continue to provide support for community initiatives throughout the state. A few of Stancato’s honors include the Champion of Justice Award from the Michigan Delegation of the Congressional Black Caucus, Woman of Achievement by the Anti-Defamation League and Michiganian of the Year by The Detroit News. Most recently, Stancato was inducted into the Michigan Business Women Hall of Fame.
By Katheryn Kutil