Rachel Cramsey

Rachel Cramsey grew up in Quincy, IL, and always thought the ideal job for her rested in the world of creative writing. After studying psychology and creative writing in undergrad, she was without a job and without direction toward next steps. Luckily, she landed in Buffalo, NY, in a service corps that left her working for a nonprofit that oversaw a retreat center, a free clothing pantry, a free health center, and an adult education center. Her time in Buffalo exposed the deficits in the healthcare and education systems. Additionally, those deficits were often impacting marginalized communities most.

In this year, Rachel also traveled to Columbus, GA, for the protest against the School of the Americas.  It was this exposure  to the wrongs being carried out in Latin America and the gaps in the healthcare and education systems that brought a passion for social justice into Rachel’s life. She returned to the Midwest in 2008 and worked for a women’s substance abuse program until January 2010 when she moved to St. Louis to obtain her Master’s of Social Work at Saint Louis University.

After her experience in Buffalo, Rachel felt pulled toward working specifically in a setting that promoted social and restorative justice. She took a practicum her last semester of graduate school that housed a conflict mediation program in one of St. Louis’ city schools. Wishing to follow her interest in social justice, Rachel became involved in community activism work after graduating.

In February, 2011, she began working full-time for Barnes Jewish Hospital as a social worker for the hepatobiliary, liver transplant, and trauma services, but has maintained her involvement in the broader social justice community.  When she isn’t working, Rachel enjoys running, cooking, and having coffee with friends.