Pearlette J. Ramos, Ph.D., J.D. is a lawyer, transformational leader, social justice advocate, and entrepreneur with more than 25 years’ experience in activism, change and strategic management, and DEI consultation.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio and raised in the housing projects, Pearlette’s childhood home was poverty- stricken and riddled with substance abuse, domestic abuse and untreated mental illness. Due to the trauma, she fled her parents’ home when she was 15 years old. Within twelve months she was pregnant, married and a high school dropout. During her 20s, she struggled as a single mom who worked three jobs at a time just to make ends meet. These challenges prompted her to attend college-then law school school—where she dreamt of changing the laws and systems that disproportionately impacted women and children.

Dr. Ramos serves as the senior director for the Office of Justice and Civil Rights for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, the largest state agency with more than 17,000 employees serving approximately 2 million clients. She also leads Pearlette Ramos LLC as well as Sisters Talk About Race, an Arizona nonprofit she co-founded, which is committed to connecting, educating, and activating women to end systemic racism and ensure justice. She is committed to breaking cycles of poverty, advocating for justice and strengthening the health and vitality of communities.

Dr. Ramos is producing her first social impact film, Three (Extra)Ordinary Women, which explores the life stories of three women of color who collectively overcame poverty, abuse, systemic racism, and political occupation as they brave their biggest physical obstacle yet—climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The documentary uses the imposing Mt. Kilimanjaro as both a physical structure and metaphor for conquering battles that seem insurmountable --like overcoming trauma, ending violence, and ensuring justice.

See https://threeextraordinarywomen.com

After graduating from Case Western Reserve University School of Law (1995), Dr. Ramos practiced law as a civil litigator prior to attending Saybrook University where she earned a doctorate degree in psychology. Her dissertation, Well-Being: A Study of Attorney Believes, Attitudes, and Perceptions (2012), takes a critical look at the factors that influence well-being among Arizona lawyers. When she isn’t cherishing time spent with her two adult daughters, Dr. Ramos contributes her talents to various community organizations including serving as the president of the Arizona Black Bar, vice chairperson of OneAZ Credit Union, and member of the Avondale Neighborhood and Family Services Commission, Arizona Lawyers for Equal Justice, State Bar of Arizona’s Council on Minorities and Women in the Law, Phoenix Rotary 100, and the Arizona Center for Civil Leadership (Flinn Brown).

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Guiding Growth: Conversations with Community Leaders

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