Shannon Kern is an award-winning photographer who was honored with the Dallas Voice 2012 Readers Voice Award for the My Gay Texas photo contest. She is a prolific author who promotes civil, political, and social equality. She is also an independent researcher, national and international human rights activist, animal rights advocate, and environmentalist. Organizing for social and environmental justice are her passions while empowering women, minorities, workers, and the LGBT community and allies. As a protagonist, she is no stranger to taking peaceful action and holding policy makers accountable for ensuring full equality in all social, civil, and legal matters.
Shannon currently works for the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Improving the quality, accessibility, and affordability of health care is her professional goal while balancing global philanthropic projects. She recently completed her fellowship with Heather Mizeur's historical gubernatorial campaign in the State of Maryland. Previously, Shannon served as a Lone Star Ambassador for Humana's LGBT Network Resource Group, leading LGBT associates and allies to live proudly and cohesively in the workplace and beyond. As a full-time professional, she also attended her graduate program and wrote her thesis titled "With Liberty and Justice for Some," while volunteering as a Community Organizer for GetEQUAL TX.
Shannon graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Sociology with an Emphasis in Political Sociology at the University of Texas at Arlington. She was a Golden Key International Honour Student, ranked in the top 4% of university students worldwide. She was awarded Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges 2010-2011 and 2012-2013. While earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Texas Woman's University, she made the National Dean's List and the Dean's List of the College of Arts and Sciences. She was featured in Who's Who Among American High School Students in 1997, 1998, and 2000.
Shannon resides in the Washington, DC metro area. She can be contacted at via Email or on Linkedin.
"Activism is my rent for living on this planet." (Alice Walker)