Our Team
Joshua Nelson
I founded the Judy Nelson Foundation in the spirit and memory of my late grandmother, Judy Nelson. She was a powerful woman who fought to progress women's rights and supported her community's education in a multitude of ways. She was the product of a single mother and never stopped inspiring others. JNF is also the reflection of my lived experience with my mother's journey in furthering her education. It wasn't until introspection years later that I fully grasped the barriers to her success.
In 2021, after multiple attempts throughout my childhood, my mother completed her Associates Degree. It's her resilience and witnessing the evolution of her confidence that inspires us today. I believe that supporting the education of single mothers has quantifiable benefits to our youth, our communities, social programs, and our larger society.
Colleen Nelson
The Judy Nelson Foundation is near and dear to my heart, as I was a single mother who kept trying to go to school but was derailed by tuition and daycare costs. In 2021, I got my associates degree and it has completely changed the way I feel about myself. I want to help other women feel the same way I do and empower woman earlier in life so they can empower their children too. A grant like this would of been the difference in the time it took me to achieve my goal.
Emily Ziegler
I joined the Judy Nelson Foundation because I believe the challenges single mothers face need to be more apparent within our society. Before meeting Colleen Nelson, I was oblivious to these challenges and seeing her succeed through education has been inspiring. I want to be able to offer the same opportunity to other single mothers. I truly believe through JNF, we will be able to instill a new found confidence in all single mothers and can't wait to see where this journey takes us!