Tzedek DC Disabilities Community Project lead and Staff Attorney Marissa Ditkowsky was recently recognized by both the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and Brandeis University for her outstanding disability inclusion and justice work.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington will present Marissa with the inaugural Capital Chai Award tomorrow at its Annual Meeting. The Capital Chai Award recognizes Jewish young adults under 40 who are working to make the world a better place. Capital Chai honorees represent the next generation of local leaders who are making a difference in Greater Washington and beyond guided by their Jewish values. The 18 honorees were selected for their commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world) and making a positive impact on the world.
Last month, Marissa was also named one of Brandeis University’s 2022 Bold 9, a group of outstanding young alumni who are driving important conversations, challenging the status quo, and making waves in their respective fields all less than 10 years since graduating from Brandeis. As part of this feature, Marissa stated:
“My personal experiences as a disabled person have led me to my current field. Over the years, I've had trouble accessing accommodations; I've witnessed firsthand the inequitable treatment that disabled folks receive; and I've had to push back, be a self-advocate, and learn what the laws are and where they’re deficient. These experiences inspired me to be an advocate for change in the policy space and educate folks about their rights and litigate on their behalf in the legal space.”
While Marissa focuses on disability and consumer rights, her advocacy and research outside of work, including the publication of several law review articles, span reproductive justice, higher education, and workers' rights. She is also the outgoing executive director of the National Disabled Law Students Association, which seeks to make the legal profession itself more inclusive. She has also been published and quoted in numerous publications and media outlets.
About Tzedek DC
Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes facing the often-devastating consequences of debt collection and credit-related obstacles. This mission is carried out as racial justice work in response to the massive wealth gaps tracking race in DC and nationwide. Of Tzedek DC’s clients, 90% are African American, 60% are women, and 25% are disabled community members. Our strategic approach combines three synergistic activities: (i) free legal representation and advice and financial counseling; (ii) working in coalition to make systemic change; and (iii) providing community legal education on debt collection, identity theft, and credit management. Since 2017, Tzedek DC has served over 2,500 DC client households in legal matters, saving an average of $2,151 per full representation case—the equivalent to more than three and a half weeks’ wages at DC’s minimum wage—and has helped catalyze systemic reforms benefiting hundreds of thousands of DC residents.