Des Moines…NAACP Iowa-Nebraska State Area Conference of Branches proudly announces that Jacquie Easley McGhee has been bestowed the honor of the 2024 Dr. William Montague Cobb Award. This illustrious award is one of the NAACP’s most celebrated honors.  Named after a towering figure in health and social justice, Dr. William Montague Cobb, stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of health equity and human dignity. Dr. Cobb served as the President of the NAACP at the National level. In his honor, this award recognizes those who, like him, have dedicated their lives to the noble cause of health equity. Jacquie Easley McGhee is a shining example of such a commitment.

​

Jacquie received this prestigious accolade on the national stage at the NAACP National Convention on July 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, NVin front of thousands of NAACP members. One of three acclaimed recipients, she was recognized in the state category.

Jacquie currently serves as the Health Chair for NAACP Iowa-Nebraska State Area Conference of Branches and has served as the health chair for the NAACP Des Moines Branch for many years.

​

“Jacquie is the go-to person in Iowa when it comes to addressing health issues at the community, policy, system, and personal levels, says Betty Andrews, NAACP Iowa-Nebraska State Area President and National Board Member.  “Jacquie lives and breathes this work on behalf of ensuring our community is healthy.”  Betty had the honor of nominating Easley for this award on behalf of the State Area Conference and the Des Moines Branch.

​

Jacquie was chosen for the Dr. William Montague Cobb Award because among many accomplishments she: 

​

• Successfully called on the Governor and state officials to start tracking Covid-19 outcomes for communities of color in Iowa

• Led and produced many wellness and health enrollment fairs touching thousands

• Secured vital funding to support funding to provide Covid-19 grant relief and resource kits for African American small businesses, churches, and small nonprofits

• Continues to be the liaison helping communities understand complicated health systems and issues while directing numerous community members to proper resources

  • Notably, Easley’s role as Co-lead of the National NAACP Health Department's grant in Iowa called “Connecting You to Care” which helped communities of color obtain primary care physicians.

• Has stood before audiences great and small to champion health equity. She has keynoted and presented at numerous event on health best practices for communities of color.  

• Testified before the Iowa Legislature on the minority impact of numerous health related bills and served as a key health subject matter expert to many media outlets and nonprofits

 

Jacquie Easley McGhee, who professionally is the Division Director, Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for MercyOne Iowa, is also an Iowa History Maker.  She was Iowa’s first African American Female School Board President. She has always been rooted in her love for the principles of education, health, justice, equity, and compassion. Her work is not just a profession; it is a calling, a mission to ensure that every person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to live a healthy life. 

​

“We’ve all heard the phrase ‘health is wealth,’” says Andrews.  “Undoubtedly Jacquie’s life work has been dedicated to health equity and countless people are richer for it.”

​

###