Lorrie Lynn King
Bio
For nearly thirty years, Lorrie has navigated diverse applied, academic, and philanthropic environments within the global health and humanitarian aid sectors. Her extensive journey has taken her through 40 countries and fifteen Indigenous nations, where she has made significant contributions with renowned organizations such as CARE International, the American Red Cross, the Carter Center, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Her community health programming has been recognized as best practices by the Rwandan Ministry of Health for her HIV/AIDS Case Management Training Protocols in post-genocide settings, as well as by the CDC for her Coffee Klatch Psychosocial Support Cohorts aimed at survivors of sexual violence during conflict.
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Notably, Lorrie's pioneering efforts in the sector of menstrual equity earned her a distinguished place in CNN's Top Ten Inspiring Women of 2014 ("The Stigma Stopper") and accolades including a resolution of honor from the Georgia State House of Representatives, a Peace Through Service Award from Rotary International District 6900, and the inaugural ambassadorship for Global Menstrual Hygiene Day.
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As a PhD scholar specializing in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, her research delves into global patterns of resistance and reparation, the pedagogy of genocide education, the legacy of Nazi resettlement in the United States, and the cultural historiographies of Jewish Drag and Jewish Gangsterism. In her current research, titled Tattooed Talmud, Lorrie investigates how communal engagement and dual narrative dialogue can foster empathic repair. Specifically, she examines the impact of these approaches on the psychosocial well-being and intragroup attitudes of politically and denominationally diverse Jews from North America and Israel in the aftermath of October 7th – a date that ironically coincides with her birthday.
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Fresh from her recognition as Agnes Scott College's Most Valuable Professor of 2025, Lorrie brings her expertise to the compelling intersections of Public Health, Social Justice, and Religion, teaching at both Emory University and Agnes Scott. Beyond her academic contributions, Lorrie actively fosters community as Agnes Scott's faculty fellow for Jewish-Muslim relations and the enthusiastic advisor for the Jewish Student Union, affectionately known as "The Jew Crew."
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She holds a BA in International Development from Oglethorpe University, a Master of Public Health from the University of Liverpool, and is finalizing her PhD in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Gratz College. Additionally, she has earned certifications in Health and Human Rights from Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Health in Prisons from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Mental Health First Aid. Rounding out her skill-set is a 200-hour level yoga teacher training, and an ordination from the Universal Life Church.
But Lorrie’s CV is only part of the story. Spend five minutes with her and you’ll encounter something deeper—an unfiltered, radically compassionate, and unapologetically human force. She is as grounded in global systems change as she is in the messy, beautiful contradictions of daily life. Her approach to justice is academic, personal, and soul-level—born from decades of fieldwork, shaped by lived experience, and rooted in a fierce belief in connection, humor, and healing.
But Lorrie’s CV is only part of the story. Spend five minutes with her and you’ll encounter something deeper—an unfiltered, radically compassionate, and unapologetically human force. She is as grounded in global systems change as she is in the messy, beautiful contradictions of daily life. Her approach to justice is academic, personal, and soul-level—born from decades of fieldwork, shaped by lived experience, and rooted in a fierce belief in connection, humor, and healing.
A proud GenX’er, Mizrahi daughter, and spiritual big sister to many, Lorrie cut her activist teeth in the anti-Apartheid movement and spent her early career traversing refugee camps, community clinics, and conflict zones. She’s still pouring one out for Prince, Freddie Mercury, and Princess Diana—and credits books, strong black coffee, and Lexapro for getting her through the hardest chapters.
Raised in Eugene, Oregon, she now lives in Decatur, Georgia with her son, spouse, dog Hillary, and cats Kiki and Nancy. She’s a voracious reader, infectious laugher, and connoisseur of airline upgrades. She lives by the ethos: “When you have more than you need, you don’t build a wall—you build a longer table.”
Gathering people around food is how she invokes her ancestors, heals what’s broken, and celebrates what’s whole. Whether it’s an old recipe or a spontaneous feast, standing beside you in the act of creation and feeding is her way of saying: I see you. I’m with you. Soul to soul.
#soultosoul
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While some of her oldest friends know her as “Kitchen,” her students know her as a fearless advocate, uncompromising educator, and quintessential Jewish Mother.
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Lorrie’s personal and professional identities blur by design. Whether teaching religion and public health, building interfaith coalitions, or researching Jewish Gangsterism and Drag as forms of resistance, she shows up fully—complex, joyful, and always ready for the revolution.
Bring it.