Specific Pioneering Contributions
D. Lynn Jackson, PhD, MSW, has made groundbreaking contributions to reproductive rights advocacy, particularly in expanding access to abortion services for marginalized women, women of color, and young women. Her work began shortly after earning her MSW in 1989, when she joined the local board of Planned Parenthood. Recognizing the financial barriers to abortion access, she co-founded the Women’s Organization for Medical Emergency Needs (WOMEN), one of the first nonprofit organizations in Florida dedicated to raising funds and providing financial assistance for abortion services. At the time, only one other agency in Florida—and fewer than 40 nationwide—offered similar assistance.
In 1992, Dr. Jackson expanded her advocacy by joining the Board of Directors of the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF), a newly formed nonprofit dedicated to addressing financial and systemic barriers to abortion access. She played a key role in developing a nationwide network of abortion funds, providing training and fundraising support to new initiatives while actively opposing restrictive legislation. She also spearheaded the creation of a national abortion fund, which provided additional resources to local abortion funds unable to meet overwhelming demand.
Beyond administrative leadership, Dr. Jackson personally managed casework for 13 years, providing funding and support to abortion patients five days a week. Her expertise in case management led to the development of standardized protocols for an NNAF abortion fund that operated nationwide. In 2006, her education and advocacy efforts at a national funding meeting helped secure a multimillion-dollar foundation grant to support abortion services for low-income women over the next decade.
Dr. Jackson also contributed significantly to research on abortion accessibility. Collaborating with Dr. Gretchen Ely and Dr. Travis Hale, she analyzed data gathered during her tenure as NNAF’s national case manager. This research, published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, highlighted the financial and logistical barriers women face in accessing abortion services—advancing the social work profession’s understanding of reproductive justice.
After relocating to Texas, Dr. Jackson continued her advocacy by joining the Texas Equal Access (TEA) Fund, where she developed protocols, trained volunteers, and supervised hotline operations. She also testified before the Texas Legislature, advocating against restrictive abortion laws and raising awareness of the challenges faced by women seeking reproductive healthcare.
In summary, Dr. Jackson’s trailblazing contributions extend beyond her organizational work. Her lasting impact lies in her ability to shape policy, raise awareness, and increase access to reproductive services for marginalized women—especially women of color and young women—who are directly impacted by a lack of accessible reproductive care. By co-founding the Women’s Organization for Medical Emergency Needs (WOMEN), she filled a critical gap in Florida, providing financial assistance to women seeking abortions when few other organizations existed. Her leadership with the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) contributed to the growth of a nationwide network that increased resources and support for women in need. Dr. Jackson’s social work knowledge, values, and skills were instrumental in developing case management protocols and creating a national abortion fund to address funding gaps—directly benefiting women who might not otherwise have been able to access abortion services due to financial constraints. Finally, Dr. Jackson’s involvement in social work research revealed how financial and policy barriers continued to prevent women from accessing legal abortion care. Her work applied a social justice lens and brought vital insights into the reproductive rights conversation from a social work perspective.
Career Highlights
Dr. Jackson’s career spans more than 45 years in social work practice, education, and reproductive justice advocacy. She worked in various BSW social work roles before transitioning to nonprofit leadership at Tampa Crossroads, where she directed residential mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. This role gave her significant experience in organizational management, program development, and community-based advocacy—skills she also applied in her volunteer work.
Her academic career began at the University of South Florida, where she supervised MSW interns working with clients facing complex medical and mental health challenges. During her doctoral studies at Florida State University, she worked for NASW as a political field organizer in Florida, organizing students and professionals for the 2004 Presidential and Senate campaigns, as well as for NASW-endorsed candidates. After completing her studies, she joined the University of North Texas (UNT) in 2005 as a faculty member and Director of Field Education. She also began more extensive volunteer work with NASW, serving as a representative to the local, state, and national Nominations and Leadership Committee (NLIC). In this role, she mentored several students who later held positions on NASW state and national boards and went on to serve in other leadership roles within the organization.
In 2013, she moved to Texas Christian University (TCU), where she played a pivotal role in establishing the MSW program and expanding field education opportunities. Dr. Jackson also leveraged her expertise in social justice and women’s rights by leading international study abroad programs focused on these issues. Her leadership within the Department of Social Work extended beyond teaching and field education—she also led efforts to develop interprofessional education and practice activities within the curriculum. As Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives in the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences, she led development of the College’s 2023 strategic plan and worked extensively to enhance interprofessional research, education, and practice across its five departments.
Biographic Information
Dr. Jackson was born in Fontainebleau, France, and raised as a military dependent. Her family eventually settled in Tampa, Florida, where she developed a lifelong commitment to social justice. She earned her BSW from the University of South Florida and completed her MSW and PhD at Florida State University. Over her career, she has worked in direct practice, program administration, academia, and national advocacy—consistently advancing reproductive rights and social justice.
In addition to her professional work, Dr. Jackson has been a lifelong volunteer. Her first formal volunteer role was as a Red Cross volunteer in a military hospital. As a young social worker, she volunteered with NASW after Hurricane Andrew in South Florida. Over the years, her service expanded to include the Leon County Humane Society, Metropolitan Dallas United Way, Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County, and, more recently, serving as a social work preceptor at a student-run medical clinic.
Since 2006, Dr. Jackson has been an active volunteer with NASW-Texas, taking on numerous leadership roles, including: member of the Women’s Issues Committee; branch and state NLIC representative; chair of the NLIC for both NASW-Texas and national NASW; President of NASW-Texas; Region XI board member on the national NASW Board of Directors; and current member of the Texas Delegate Assembly.
Throughout her life, Dr. Jackson has dedicated herself to advancing social justice, reproductive rights, and social work practice, making lasting contributions in both professional and volunteer capacities. Her leadership, advocacy, and teaching have had a deep and enduring impact on the profession and the communities she serves.
Significant Recognition and Awards
Dr. Jackson has received numerous honors in recognition of her contributions to social work, reproductive rights, and interprofessional practice. In 2010, she was recognized by Our Bodies Ourselves for her longstanding work to improve national access to abortion care. In 2015, she was honored by the Texas Equal Access Fund for her dedicated service in helping women access abortion services in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
In 2020, she received two prestigious awards from NASW:
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fort Worth Branch
- State Lifetime Achievement Award from NASW-Texas
These awards celebrate her decades of impactful work in social work practice, education, and advocacy. Also in 2020, Dr. Jackson was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow into the National Academies of Practice in recognition of her efforts to advance interprofessional education and practice in healthcare. In 2023, she was named a Distinguished Fellow by the Texas Interprofessional Education (IPE) Consortium for her work in fostering cross-profession collaboration to better serve communities.
Dr. Jackson has also twice received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the Dean of the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences at TCU—an honor given across five departments, reflecting her excellence in teaching and her dedication to educating future social workers.
Significant Publications
The following publications are included to highlight Dr. Jackson’s rare contributions as a social worker publishing on abortion policy—a significant and under-addressed social justice issue for women:
Ely, G. E., Hales, T. W., Jackson, D. L., Kotting, J., & Agbemenu, K. (2018). Access to choice: Examining differences between adolescent and adult abortion fund service recipients. Health & Social Care in the Community, 26(5), 695–704. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12582