Wendy Fields | Woman of Achievement & Courage Award Honoree
- Year: 2025
- Location: WomanUp and Celebrate Kalamazoo
Branch President of Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch NAACP
Wendy Y. Fields is a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo. She has spent her entire working career serving others. She retired from Kalamazoo County Government in 2014, after 39 years of service. She worked in various areas within the County, including 16 years in the Head Start Program and 23 years in the Maternal and Infant Health Programs (with a focus on infant mortality reduction in Kalamazoo). She also served as a Home Interviewer in the Kalamazoo County Fetal Infant Mortality Review program.
During her employment with Kalamazoo County she advocated along with co-workers to unionize the Kalamazoo County Head Start employees, resulting in membership with the UAW Labor Union. She served as a UAW Union steward, organizer, and negotiator. She was instrumental in the development of the County’s Anti-Racism Team. Her service on this committee resulted in an increase hiring of people of color within the Health and Community Services Department. Her assertive actions also resulted in annual mandatory anti-racism/diversity training for co-workers at all levels.
Although formally retired, Wendy continues to work as a strong and enthusiastic activist for social justice. She is currently serving her fourth term as the President of the Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch NAACP and is a proud Life Member.
Wendy is a member of the Galilee Baptist Church, where she serves as interim president of the Hospitality Ministry as trustee and member of the transportation ministry. She also served two terms as church trustee.
Wendy serves on the Cradle Kalamazoo Steering Committee, whose primary focus is reducing Black infant mortality in Kalamazoo through awareness and education. She has served as a consultant for the WMED Fetal Infant Mortality Review program. She served three terms on the Executive Board of Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan), and she served two terms on the Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s Women Education Committee. She currently serves on the board of the Douglass Community Association and is a member of the Northside Ministerial Alliance.
Wendy has been recognized for her work in the community. She was selected as the 2015 recipient of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Bethune Award, she was awarded the Church Women United Inc. Human Rights Award. In 2016, The Northside Ministerial Alliance awarded her the Rev. Dr. Otha Gilyard Community Service Award, she was the recipient of the Galilee Baptist Church “Kalamazoo is Better Because of You “Award and was a recipient of the YWCA 2018 Women of Achievement Award, she has also received awards from El Concilio and ISAAC.
She is a committed member, volunteer and/or supporter of The Ecumenical Senior Center, Kalamazoo Junior Girls, Douglass Community Association, the YWCA Kalamazoo, Black Arts and Cultural Center, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Merze Tate Explorers, C.H.A.R.L.I.E.’s Place, CCJT, ALPACT, G.I.V.,C.I.S., Disability Network, OutFront, Family Health Center, Justice Uplifted, S.H.A.R.E., and other organizations she is passionate about.
Wendy is the mother of two, Ivy and Darnell, and grandmother of three, Whitney, Seantiana, and Nicholas, and great grandmother of two, Majesty and Cyx. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her large family and friends. She loves dancing, exercising, and eating sweets. Wendy’s outgoing personality and passion for people is evident in all that she does.
Wendy’s personal philosophy is simple: Keep God first, and help others through truth, empowerment and advocacy.
