Advocacy Coordinator, Operation Gateway

Tess Monty is a dedicated public health advocate, Certified Peer Support Specialist, and Community Health Worker based in Western North Carolina. Originally from Southeastern Wisconsin, Tess combines her lived experience with a strong academic foundation to drive systemic change in criminal justice reform and health equity.

During her undergraduate studies in Health Sciences, Tess focused her research on critical health disparities faced by incarcerated individuals in Wisconsin. She explored how healthcare access is frequently restricted or denied based on the length of a person’s sentence, compounded by state laws that require only minimal medical care unless conditions are deemed, “life-threatening.” This research revealed profound systemic neglect, underscoring the urgent need for equitable healthcare policies for those involved in the justice system.

In addition to her research, Tess served as a statistics tutor, where she cultivated a deep interest in data science, social software systems, and database management. She has since pursued professional development in these areas to harness the power of data analytics in supporting mission-driven work. Tess expertly uses statistical evidence to illuminate systemic inequities and oppression experienced by incarcerated individuals before and after release, strengthening advocacy efforts with empirical rigor.

At age 22, Tess herself was incarcerated following a tragic event that claimed the life of her best friend. While navigating her WI sentence, she experienced firsthand the inequities within the criminal legal system, including the disproportionate impact on Indigenous communities and people of color. One profound experience that shaped her advocacy was the loss of her roommate, Dawn, a fellow incarcerated woman who was denied timely and adequate medical care and passed away shortly after her release due to untreated complications.

Following her release, Tess returned to the Appalachian region with a mission: to change the system from the inside out. In early 2023, she began working alongside renowned community leader Philip Cooper, further developing her voice and impact as an advocate. Today, as the Advocacy Coordinator for Operation Gateway, Tess leads efforts to advance continuity of care for people returning from incarceration, dismantle systemic health barriers, and amplify the voices of those most impacted by the criminal legal system.