About me
Monica Lewis-Patrick is an educator, entrepreneur, and human rights activist. With guidance and support from the other four founders of We the People of Detroit (WPD), and the leadership of volunteers and community experts, she has become one of the most distinguished social justice experts in Michigan, nationwide, and globally. Known as "The Water Warrior," Lewis-Patrick is actively engaged in the fight to access safe, affordable water for all strategically undervalued communities. In 2022, Lewis-Patrick joined the University of Waterloo as a Jarislowsky Fellow. She also serves as a member of several organizations, boards, and committees dedicated to the advancement of water equity, including the River Network National Board of Directors, External Sustainability Advisory Council/United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE), the Water Equity Network: Water Workforce Institute & Taskforce, National Water Affordability Table, All About Water/Freshwater Future - Subcommittee, PolicyLink- Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus (WECR), End Water Poverty, and the Governor's Board for Healing Our Waters (HOW). She has been appointed to and serves on the International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes Water Quality Advisory Board and the Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice. As a former Lead Legislative Policy Analyst for Detroit City Council under the Honorable Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson, Monica has authored legislation, conducted research, and delivered constituency services to thousands of Detroit residents. Lewis-Patrick attended the historic Bennett College. She is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Sociology and a Masters of Arts of Liberal Studies degree with a concentration in Criminal Justice/Sociology and Public Management. She has also received the honor of being selected as a Ron McNair Scholar.
