HEATHER BRADFORD,38 . DULUTH

What do youdo?

IworkatSafe Havenshelter as an advocate. This involves ensuring theshelterisasafe,welcoming, healthyplacefordomestic-violencesurvivors.Italso involves answeringcrisiscalls,safetyplanningand connecting survivorswithcommunity resources. I also work part time at theWomen’s Health Center, whereI checkinpatientsand makeappointments forabortions andother medical procedures.

Iamalsoasubstituteteacher forthe Duluth school district.

Education

Bachelor of Arts ininternational studies, history andpolitical science andMasterofScience in teachingfrom theCollegeofSt. Scholastica. BachelorofScienceinsociologyfromtheUniversity of Wisconsin-Superior.

MasterofArtsinSociologyfromMinnesotaState University-Mankato.

Community involvement

Iama member of SocialistAction, aTrotskyist politicalparty,and serveasthe branch organizer for ourlocalgroup.SocialistActionattemptstomagnify itsimpactbybuildingsocialmovementsaroundantiwar,labor,feminism,environmentalism,indigenous rights, criminal justicereform, immigrantrights, racial justiceand housingissues.

Iamafoundingmemberofthe Feminist Justice League,whichhosts events such as asymbolic strike forInternational Women’sDay,Glo forRoe picket,panels, small protests andparticipation in the40 Days of Choice.

Iamalsoa member of theH.O.T.D.I.S.H. Militia alocal fundthathelps individualsfinanceabortion andotherreproductivehealthservices.Iamaboard member of theNorth CentralWindows Program, whichseeks to enrich ourcommunity andthe lives of domesticabusesurvivors throughart.Iam also a member of AFSCME-3558,through whichI serve as asteward ande-board member.

Tell us aboutyourlovedones

Iam fortunatetohavemanydearpeopleinmy life, includingDan,who ispatient, hard working, andwarm; Adam,who ishumble, generous andan amazingactivist;Jenny,whoisadedicatedadvocate andmypartner in feminist activism;mycreative comrade andcriminologistLucas;and my sharp, sarcasticcomrade Chris. Ialsovalue my friendship withmybrotherLonnie,whoisaneuropsychologist andfatherofthree cute kids,and my mother, Melinda,who sometimesgoesbirdingwithme. I am also thankful formyfather, GrandmaBradford andother friends,comrades andfamilymembers fortheir love andsupport.

What do youdoinyourfreetime?

Ienjoy outdooractivities andattendingoutdoor educationalevents. Oneofmyfavoriteoutdoor hobbies in recentyears has been birding. Ilove learningabout nature andam happytolearnmore abouteverythingfrom wildflowers to moths.

Tell us aboutaninfluential person in your life

Ihavebeenmostinfluencedbymyteachers, professors andgrandparents. My teachers and professors taught me howto thinkcritically aboutsociety. My GrandpaBradfordtraveledthe worldwhenhewas in theNavy, so he always had interestingstories.Hewas afun, friendlyperson, with many friends andhobbies andanopenmind. My GrandmaWallialwaysworeblue, kept acrystal chandelier in herfarmhouse,loved mysterynovels, painted,wrotepoetry,lovedparadesandcostumes, enjoyedtrivia andhad aflairfor thedramatic.

What’s the best decisionyou’veever made?

Becominganegg donorwas aunique decision that Imade in my late 20s. Thisallowed me to pay off some studentdebt, travel to Cuba,learn more aboutreproductivetechnologiesandhelpthreeegg recipients have children.

What is your biggestaccomplishment?

The accomplishmentsIam most proudof areovercomingthe depressionand anxietyI experiencedinmy20s, my pursuit of education andmytravels.IamparticularlygladthatIhave hadthe privilegeoftravelingto over 65 countries. Iam fortunatefor theseexperiences, whichhave enriched my lifeand challengedmy mind.

What keepsyou in the Twin Ports?

Ifeelasense of purpose, belongingand community here.

Describe your happyplace

MyhappyplaceissittingonthebeachonWisconsin Point, readingabookand enjoying solitude and sunshineonawarmsummer afternoon.

What’s your five-year plan?

Iwould love to reach100 countries within thenextfive years. Iwanttogrowinmyknowledge of birdsand nature.I want to continue my communityactivism. I wouldn’tmindteachingsociologyasanadjunctatalocal collegeinaddition to my currentemployment. Taking language,scienceorartclasseswouldalsobenice

Whatwords of wisdom do youhave foryoung adults?

It is importanttocreateyourown measuresof successorabandon theconceptentirely. So,live wellbyyourownstandardsandbravelyfaceaworld that mayridiculeorignore. The main rewardsare authenticity andclarity.

Congratulations to Heather Bradford for being recognized as ayoung leader in the greater Duluth community.