Honoring Crystal:
Crystal Jones Woodard was born in Fort Monmouth New Jersey. Her father served in the United States Army and her mother was an army wife. Crystal had the privilege of growing up as a military brat living in the United States and overseas.
After settling in Radcliff, Kentucky, she graduated from North Hardin High School. She attended Kentucky State University, where she received an undergraduate degree in Social Work and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She went on to do her graduate studies at The Ohio State University, where she received an MSW. She became a licensed social worker (LCSW) for the state of Kentucky. Crystal began her career at the VA hospital in 1993 and dedicated her life’s work to caring and advocating for military veterans.
In 2018, Crystal was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. For the next four years, she underwent numerous forms of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. While coping with her own health issues, Crystal met, encouraged, and advocated for other women from around the globe, who were also fighting breast cancer. She advocated for resources such as transportation, breast cancer studies, and genetic testing. Crystal had an ongoing commitment to improving the lives of those with breast cancer as well as those at risk for breast cancer. Crystal passed away on July 11, 2022. Her advocacy will continue with the annual KSU Alumni Breast Cancer 3K Walk at her alma mater, Kentucky State University, which she co-created.
