Lillian Reason

Lillian Reason is a graduate of Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC. She earned a Masters of Arts in teaching as well as a 6th year certificate in supervision and administration from Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport, CT. Ms. Reason is a retired New Haven teacher and literacy coach and continues to tutor first graders in reading. She is a member of Varick Memorial AME Zion Church, where she serves as a missionary. She is a receptionist at the food pantry on a monthly basis and has held several leadership roles in the church over the past 20 years. She has also worked in Christian education planning and holiday programs, as well planning and presenting workshops.

Ms. Reason serves as the president of the Hartford District Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, a group to which Yale faculty members have made presentations, in addition to other local groups. She became a Cultural Ambassador because she wanted to inform the women she serves so that they in turn can help improve the health of their community. Her work with YCCI has helped her gain a better understanding of why people are reluctant to participate in clinical research. She is helping to address this issue by exposing people from across the state to research findings so that they can make informed decisions.