Daily Inspiration: Meet Judy Vaughan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy Vaughan.

Hi Judy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story is deeply rooted in all the communities that have helped to shape my life. These communities include my family, and the numerous other places I have lived and worked. I entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet after high school and initially taught elementary school children (1st – 3rd graders) in Lakeside, CA. After being asked to get a Master’s Degree by my community (CSJs) I taught sociology and anthropology at Mount St. Mary’s College from 1972 – 1975. I was then asked to get a Ph.D. and did so at the University of Chicago in Religious Social Ethics. This was a time that radically changed my life. Not only was I the only woman among 40 students studying Religious Social Ethics, I also became critically aware of the disparities and inequities that exist in this country. I ended up resigning from the college and began working at the House of Ruth in Boyle Height. Since then I have worked in the non-profit world addressing at the local and national level addressing the injustices that impact our city, country and world. The people I have had the privilege of living and working with have challenged me and motivated me to stay in the struggle for justice. These communities include not only House of Ruth but also Women of Conscience, Women for Guatemala, Alexandria House and now Community Collaboration-LA.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a white woman from an economically stable background, being open to unlearning many of the myths about the US that are taught in many of the institutions has been a challenge. As bell hooks writes, we need to recognize and address the “colonization of the mind.” I have had the privilege of co-facilitating a number of anti-racism workshops across the United States. In doing the work over the years I constantly remember one of the challenges from a long time activist, Marge Tuite, who would urge us to “stay open to the burden of knowing” — knowing how difficult it is for most people to survive and have the quality of life that each person deserves. Another struggle is understanding and dealing with the reality that resources and wealth are not distributed equitably or fairly. At Alexandria House we received almost 1,000 calls a month from those who were unhoused and there is an affordable housing crisis in this city that has more than 84,000 people unhoused and only 11,000 shelter beds. Other struggles are (1) counteracting stereotypes and myths about folks who are dealing with little or no income and also (2) the racism that is a part of every institution. Another struggle to mention is the false use of religion and notions of God that are used to justify discrimination, especially against women.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For the last 30 years I worked as Founding Director of Alexandria House–a transitional residence program and a neighborhood center in the mid-Wilshire area. I both lived there and worked there. I also raised my daughter there. Ray came into y life when I was fifty and she was four days old. She is now 28 and I am so proud of her. I left Alexandria House on May 4th 2026 in order to focus on a new organization –Community Collaboration LA which focuses on mental health and healing activities especially for front line workers who have themselves experienced trauma. These worker bring such gifts to the agencies where they work but the retention rates are low. Often this is because they are experiencing vicarious trauma or triggered becaus of past experiences in their own life.

I think I am known for “showing up” especially for those who need support; and believing in second, third and fourth chances for everyone. I think I am proud of the fact that I truly believe that “life is a daring adventure or nothing.”

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I think my advice would be:
– find purpose
– work on issues that, as Marilyn James writes, “stick like a wash cloth in your throat”
but also understand intersectionality
-have a community that supports you and also allows you to take risks and do things and be a person you might have only imagined.

I only wish I understood how fast life goes by.,..

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cc-la.org