Attroney Sandra Smelgelsky

Sandy Smelgelsky’s strict Catholic upbringing led her to a fierce belief that God loves everybody. After graduating College in New York City she joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in an attempt to address poverty in our country. After which Sandy’s recognition of the dominance of racism and discrimination in our society lead her to co-found East Arkansas Legal Services, which provided free civil legal aid to a seven county area. After turning the program over to local control, Sandy began a 10 year career in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis during which she started adult literacy classes for families in the Foote and Cleaborne Home housing projects. In 1995, MIFA hired Sandy as the District Ombudsman, a position where she advocated for the rights of nursing home residents in West Tennessee. She retired in 2013, but continues to be active in literacy efforts as well as addressing senior hunger issues.