AJ French
Speaker, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ILLINOIS, ISSUES BRIEFING 2022
AJ French serves as CEO for Gift of Voice, a mental health training and technical assistance center operated by people in recovery. In this capacity, she has provided education for the State of Illinois, State of Michigan, Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, Take Action Today, Cross Over Ministries and more. She has organized a Christian Women’s Mental Health Conference and Pastor Resource Day.
French was invited to join the Illinois 988 Key Stakeholder Coalition as an individual who has recovered from multiple suicide attempts. She is a strong proponent of equitable inclusion of persons with disclosed mental health experiences, as evidenced by her establishment of the Illinois Dignity Coalition and former service to the Illinois Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Steering Committee.
Previously, French was elected to the Illinois Mental Health Planning & Advisory Council (IMHPAC) and appointed by Governor Quinn to the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) of Illinois. Career highlights include being invited to the White House for a briefing on suicide prevention and an interfaith mental health discussion with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
AJ French resides in Madison County, Illinois and is an active member of The Bridge church.