Dr. Ebony Williams, PhD, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at the LSU School of Social Work, has been awarded the prestigious Outstanding Student/New Professional Paper Award from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). The accolade was presented during the Families and Health Section meeting at the NCFR conference.
Dr. Williams received the accolade for her exceptional paper, titled “Navigating Health and Wellbeing During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Experiences of Latina Immigrant Mothers in Rural Midwestern Communities.” The paper investigates the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Latina mothers in rural Midwest communities. Grounded in the mundane extreme environmental stress theory, the research delves into the challenges faced, strategies employed to avoid virus infection, and the resulting impacts on health and well-being.
Expressing her gratitude and reflecting on the significance of her research, Dr. Williams stated, “I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with Kimberly Greder as a part of her research team during 2020-2021 when the study was conducted. This study emphasizes the importance of studying the experiences of minoritized populations during times of crisis and uncertainty.”
In addition to the award-winning paper, Dr. Williams showcased her expertise at the NCFR conference by presenting a poster titled “Coparenting Among African American Families: Challenges, Possibilities, and Persisting Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.” The collaborative effort with Christina M. Grange, PhD, of Clayton State University, and Nakeiha Primus, PhD, of Millersville University, explored challenges faced by African-American mothers during the pandemic, utilizing the mundane extreme environmental stress theory to illuminate unique stressors.
The NCFR is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to supporting families through research, teaching, practice, and advocacy. Dr. Williams’s recognition underscores the LSU School of Social Work’s commitment to producing impactful research that addresses real-world challenges, particularly during times of crisis.
