Amy Jo Hutchison is a born and raised West Virginian. She began organizing in poor and marginalized communities across the state in 2017, using her lived experience of poverty to connect with people who share the same experience. In February 2020, Amy Jo spoke to the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform regarding the poverty level in Washington D.C. Her testimony went viral and has provided her the opportunity to discuss poverty on a much broader stage.  In October of 2021, she appeared in episode 3 of "The Problem with Jon Stewart," "The Economy," in which she discussed the issues affecting the working poor, and she returned to the show later in the season for a “pass the mic” conversation. More recently, Amy Jo was named the 2024 recipient of the 2024 T. Berry Brazzelton Friend of Children Award by the board of directors for the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA).