I won’t accept the premise that solutions to big problems cannot be found. I refuse to submit that the promise of our democracy will be left unfulfilled. And I will not stand by and watch members of our communities continue to have their concerns ignored, their rights eroded, and their voices silenced.
I grew up as a suburban kid in Battle Creek, the daughter of a pre-school teacher and a warehouse supervisor. My parents were honest hard-working people who taught me the progressive values and faith that guide my life. My dad served as a volunteer firefighter and a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol and my mom taught Sunday school and was on every committee from the Parent Teachers Association to the Neighborhood Watch. They spent their extra time and efforts making our community better and showed me that when we support one another we are our best selves.
I came to Kalamazoo in ’97 looking for my way in life. Here I began working directly with adults and children with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. I found profound purpose in supporting these vulnerable community members to live out fulfilling lives. I learned so much about compassion and the dignity inherent in all humanity through that service. Knowing more was needed to enhance care for vulnerable people, I focused on system change by moving into public behavioral health administration to improve outcomes for the very people I served all through my adult life.
America is in a crisis of conscience, and you deserve a legislator who understands the stakes, has a proven track record of solutions, and a burning drive for our community. That is why I am humbly asking to be your Democratic nominee for State House District 41.
I continue in that as a working mom, while also serving in public office. I am both raising a grade-schooler and supporting my launching young adult who each fill my life with challenge and joy. I am fighting for the future world they will live in. The future all of our children deserve to live in. A future where systems of racist, classist, and sexist oppression are dismantled and everyone has a real opportunity to live into their potential. A future where we create sustainable economic growth that doesn’t demand we make a choice between providing for our families or having a planet that is habitable. A future where healthcare is a right afforded to everyone in America. A future where young people can afford to buy homes again and where children are safe in schools.
Nearly two decades ago, I also began organizing in our community to bring people together to take action that held elected officials accountable to the people, and to bring results. I realized I could no longer wait for elected officials to create the needed solutions unless I was also willing to to step-up myself.
I first sought appointment, and was then elected, as a Trustee in Kalamazoo Township where I served for 3 1/2 years. In 2021, I went on to win an election as Commissioner for Kalamazoo County. Now, I am in my third term and serving as Chairperson of the Kalamazoo County Commission, this is work that has helped me truly see the potential of public service and the impact we can make for the community when we have the will to fight for it.
And now, I want to bring my experience to Lansing and build on what Kalamazoo County has accomplished by serving as your next representative for State House District 41.