Dr. LaShondra Jones

Nominating Organization: South East Veterans’
Resource Effort (SERVE)

Title: Legislative Advocate

Dr. LaShondra Jones is a Marine Corp Veteran, who served on active duty as a radio operator from 1994-1998. As she completed her doctoral research on Veterans in the justice system and the challenges faced post combat, she began serving as a Policy Associate during the 84th Texas Legislative Session. After the 84th session ended, she continued her advocacy by testifying on legislative bills for Texas Women Veterans. With a wealth of collegiate judicial academia and a heart of servant advocacy, Dr. Jones has supported Women Veterans and underserved populations both locally and nationally. One of her proudest moments in advocacy was House Bill 867, which created the Texas Women Veterans Program and her efforts for Senate Bill 805 which created Texas Women Veterans Day. Nonetheless, Dr. Jones through both her voluntarism and non-profit executive management background has supported hundreds of women Veterans through peer support, mental health coaching, financial resources, housing and most importantly, by being there.

Dr. Jones continues to work with elected officials on issues dealing with women Veterans and vulnerable populations in the community. She also works tirelessly each election to ensure that Veterans re-register voters. Currently she serves as Vice- Chairman of the armed Forces Committee of the Houston NAACP and is a member of the Women Marines Association. She continues to provide peer support groups to women Veterans through a program called WOVEN.