(NewsNation) — Meet Whitney Dodds, one of NewsNation’s 2025 nominees for the annual “Remarkable Women” honor.
Dobbs founded Wellness for the Culture to provide a safe and empowering space for the Black community in Springfield, Massachusetts, after realizing there was a gap in people of color accessing mental health care, and she knew that opening the door was about comfort.
“Wellness for the Culture is all about dismantling systems of oppression, so that these marginalized communities, especially the one I am from, is able to come and get mental health care without the barriers and as culturally appropriate as possible,” she said.
However, getting there wasn’t easy. Dobbs’ own trauma experience opened her eyes to the need for easily accessible mental health care for her community. She realized that it wasn’t about access, it was about getting the word out that it exists and about treating the whole person.
“I don’t have a specific approach. I don’t always throw a book at people. But if you came in and you told me what you needed, and I’m here along for the ride, the clinicians are here for the ride. We’re just here to navigate here,” Dobbs said.
She added: “I always say I wanted to feel like you’re coming into Grandma’s house, like no walls, no barriers, you come in to unwind and feel like you left with a really big hug and maybe a plate of food.”
Every year in March, Nexstar Media Group, Inc., celebrates Women’s History Month by honoring “Remarkable Women” across the country and recognizing one of them as the “Nexstar Woman of the Year.”
This is a nationwide initiative to honor the influence that women have had on public policy, social progress, and the quality of life. We are celebrating women from across America who lead, inspire, and forge the way for others to succeed.
Whoever wins will get to choose a non-profit for the Nexstar charitable foundation to share $10,000 with.
Find out more at www.nexstar.tv/remarkable-women/.