Today, we kick off our series featuring the 2011 Community Change Champions by introducing you to Pramila Jayapal, the founder and executive director of OneAmerica.

Started in the wake of 9/11, OneAmerica has grown to become the largest immigrant advocacy organization in Washington State and a leading force for immigrant rights nationally.

Under Pramila’s leadership, OneAmerica has organized tens of thousands of diverse immigrants around immigration reform, immigrant integration and racial profiling; registered and mobilized over 25,000 New American voters; built unusual alliances; and achieved significant policy change.

Pramila is an immigrant from India and has spent over twenty years working for social justice in the U.S. and internationally. She is also a published writer of essays and a book, and the proud mother of a 14-year old son.

She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work, including being named by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of 20 Women of Influence, whose work “moves the needle on critical issues.”

To learn more abour Pramila and the other recipients of the 2011 Community Change Champion Awards, join us as ChangeAwards.org.