Dr. Melissa Bird is a social worker, author, public speaker, and political advocate based in Corvallis, Oregon. She is currently a Democratic candidate for Oregon’s 4th Congressional District in the May 2026 primary.
Describing herself as a “Natural Born Rebel,” her work focuses on what she calls the Graceful Revolution—a movement centered on using personal stories and intuition to drive social justice and community healing.
Professional Background
Education: She holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Utah and the University of Southern California.
Political Advocacy: Dr. Bird served as the Chief Lobbyist for Planned Parenthood of Utah, where she successfully lobbied for multiple pieces of legislation. She also worked with Equality Utah, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
Business & Coaching: She is the CEO of Natural Born Rebel, where she provides life coaching and leadership training to help people “amplify their voices.”
Author: Her publications include the SAGE Guide to Social Work Careers and contributions to the bestseller Women Connected in Wisdom.
Key Campaign Issues (2026)
As a candidate for Congress, her platform emphasizes lived experience and community-led policy:
Healthcare: Fighting for Medicare for All and reproductive justice.
Economic Reform: Supporting the “Rural New Deal” and increasing taxes on billionaires.
Equality: Advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and tribal sovereignty (she is a descendant of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes).
Personal Life
Dr. Bird lives in Corvallis with her husband—a disabled veteran—and their three children. She is known for her eclectic interests, often mentioning her love for reading “trashy novels” and drinking Earl Grey tea with heavy cream.
Note: You can follow her current writing and inspirational posts on her Substack, Love Notes & Prayers.
Thank you Diane, Lynette, Frances Joyce, Jason Gael, Millie Jones-Cowles, and many others for tuning into my live video with Walter Rhein and Melissa Bird! Join me for my next live video in the app.
