Sarah Stern

Education

BA in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and a concentration in Native American Studies, Columbia University

Biography

Growing up in the capital of the Cherokee Nation (Tahlequah, Oklahoma), Sarah witnessed the overwhelming need for public health programs within her community and became interested in sustainable health initiatives at a young age. Sarah obtained her honors Bachelors of Arts degree in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and a concentration in Native American Studies from Columbia University in 2016. Her senior thesis analyzed how settler colonialism and systemic oppression in the United States and Canada are combatted by indigenous understandings of gender and sexuality and included a thorough explanation of Two-Spirit identity. Sarah serves as a board member of the non-profit organization, alterNATIVE Education, and is invested in furthering critical discussions on indigenous histories, decolonization, resiliency, and advancing higher education opportunities for tribal youth. In June of 2016, Sarah joined the behavioral health team at the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. As a Health Educator, Sarah works closely with tribal communities to develop curricula and further ongoing public health programs in various fields such as: adolescent health, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, entrepreneurship, fitness, mental health and wellness, nutrition, and trauma-informed care.