Dr. Monique Howard is the Executive Director of Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR), the only rape crisis center in Philadelphia. WOAR’s mission is two pronged: eliminate rape and to provide services and advocate for those individuals how have experienced rape or sexual assault. Dr. Howard is an accomplished public health administrator with a 20-year history of protecting and improving the health of women, families and communities. Previously, Dr. Howard was the executive director of the Office of Women’s Health at the New Jersey Department of Health. Monique oversaw the Office of Cancer Control and Prevention, the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection program and the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research. Dr. Howard is the former Executive Director of the New Jersey Women and AIDS Network (NJWAN), the only female- specific AIDS service organization in NJ. Since its establishment in 1988, NJWAN has provided education and training, health/wellness and treatment adherence programs for women who are infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Throughout her career, Dr. Monique Howard has advocated on behalf of consumers and service providers and promoted systems change to increase access and quality of care. She is committed to providing programming and services that increase the health and well-being of women and their families. Monique’s life mission is addressing the public health needs of individuals who have experienced chronic illness (i.e., diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and HIV/AIDS) and examining the intersection of public health and sexual violence.
Dr. Howard obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Wagner College, her Master in Public Health from East Stroudsburg University and her Doctorate of Education from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her position at WOAR, she is an advisory committee member for the Public Health Program at LaSalle University and an adjunct faculty member in the department of Public Health. Monique sits on the board of the Somerdale-Park School District and the Wilson Harrison Education Fund. She is also very active in the community, is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with her family.