Melissa Selby started her position as the Executive Director of The Women's Center in September 2002, and has worked in women's advocacy issues for the past 20 years.

She first arrived in Colorado in 1977 and completed her BA in Cultural Anthropology at CU in 1981. The next five years were spent on archaeological digs throughout the Southeast. She then relocated to Athens, Georgia and completed her MSW in 1987, focusing on both clinical and organizational skills. As part of her internship, she was instrumental in developing services for battered women and their children, and eventually opened a shelter.

Her background since that time includes:

• Domestic Violence Advocate at Georgia Legal Services
• Executive Director of Project Safe (shelter and services for battered women and their children)
• Maternal/Child Counselor at Athens Regional Medical Center's Midwifery Clinic
• Private practice in individual, family and group therapy primarily for battered women and sexual assault survivors
• Support Group Facilitator for the Athens Rape Crisis Center
• Rural Outreach and Advocacy for Elders
• Rural Outreach for Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus enrollment

Her job experiences have allowed her to build skills as a clinician and administrator, as well as in program development, community collaborations and social advocacy.

To help take the edge off, Melissa enjoys her other life as a blues singer and songwriter, and returns to her rural roots in a small mountain community whenever she can.

~ Download this Document:~
Microsoft Word Format ~ .pdf Format