Dear friend—

As an educator I’m hardwired to work in service of my students — but one of the greatest rewards is an opportunity to serve a former student who so diligently serves our community. When Emily’s team asked me if I wanted to help them with the birthday surprise they’re planning for her, I was more than happy to oblige. Emily works tirelessly for us— we can do this for her!

In many ways, I’ve watched Emily grow into the incredible woman she is today. As my own kids made their way through Sunnyslope Elementary, Cedar Heights Junior High and South Kitsap High School, Emily was one of their classmates. In fact, I was Emily’s guidance counselor in junior high and as the kids moved on to high school I saw in her a spark of leadership that was growing. During that time, the American Association of University Women was hosting their Youth Summit. They needed a student to help plan the event and I knew Emily would thrive — it was an opportunity for her to stretch her wings, experience a new sense of leadership and ownership in her community. It must have made an impact because as I hear it, three weeks ago Emily joined the Pierce County chapter of the American Association of University Women!

Though Emily has since graduated and I’ve since retired, our paths still cross quite frequently. It is most gratifying to see her consistently involved in the state legislature fighting in support of inclusive health care policy, education investments, pensions, and more. This kind of work is hard to do, sometimes. There are a great deal of nay-sayers; of cynics. It’s powerful and encouraging to have someone in your corner that you know truly shares your values, the values to which you’ve dedicated your life.

Emily’s birthday is THIS SATURDAY, and we have $16,386 to go to reach our month-end goal of $36k for her 36th! Can I count on you to help us celebrate Emily’s birthday by reaching this goal?

Thanks so much for sharing in this very personal celebration, with me, of our South Kitsap woman giving back and doing so, so well — intelligently and gracefully!