Dawna Thomas

Dr. Dawna Marie Thomas has an academic appointment in the Departments of Public Health and Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Simmons University. Dr. Thomas teaches a range of courses that explore topics related to women, culture, gender, race, family violence, health, and disability. She is the director of the Law and Justice Minor. Her research is grounded in her Cabo Verdean and African American cultural roots and in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, where she grew up and continues to live. Her research includes health and disability policy, racial/ethnic and gender disparities in health, family violence, and identity development.

Her latest study, "The Cabo Verdean Women's Project," includes four generations of Cabo Verdean women throughout New England, where she explored their experiences with domestic violence, healthcare, and disability, and concepts of womanhood. Dr. Thomas' research has been published in journals and books. Her book, Women's Health: Readings on Social, Economic, and Political Issues, includes articles on the history of women's health, access to health and disability services, health disparities, and culturally relevant approaches to more effective service delivery.