2021 Inland NW Women of the Year

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S U N D AY, N O V E M B E R 7 , 2 0 2 1

Brought to you by We asked, and the Inland Northwest answered. We put out a call seeking nominations of impressive women, leaders in business, politics, arts, philanthropy and social services.

We received more than 100 nominations, and today we dedicate a special section to our honorees, in addition to three other women honored for their lifetime achievements.

WOMEN OF THE YEAR

Women of distinction doing good works in the Inland Northwest

Doris Andrews PAGE 2

Dana Bellefeuille PAGE 3

Andy CastroLang PAGE 4

Shauna Edwards PAGE 5

Janell Turner & Nellie Flatt PAGE 6

Maria “Lupe” Gutierrez PAGE 7

Suzanne Ostersmith PAGE 8

Tracie Swanson PAGE 9

Vanessa Waldref PAGE 10

Shelly Wynecoop PAGE 11

Ilze Zarins-Ilgen PAGE 12

Frontline health workers PAGE 13

LEGACY RECOGNITION

Three women whose lifetime of work has left an impact on the region

Susan Boysen PAGE 14

Betty Burley-Wolf PAGE 14

Elsa Distelhorst PAGE 15

T2 • Sunday • November 7, 2021

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2021 WOMEN OF THE YEAR

‘WOMAN OF STRENGTH’

Calvary Baptist Church’s Doris G. Andrews serves faith and community

D

By Amber D. Dodd | Community Journalism Fund

oris G. Andrews is a quiet woman. She lets her work do most of the speaking. She is the first lady of Calvary Baptist Church, the oldest Black church in the state of Washington, and her congregation appreciates and loves her not just because she’s married to the Rev. Chester Willis “C.W.” Andrews, but because she is the epitome of strength, calm and support of her community.

Born in 1942, she was raised in New Orleans until the age of 5, when her family moved to Yakima during the Great Migration, a 54-year period when more than 6 million African Americans moved out of the South for better opportunities.

Regardless of location, Andrews has been involved in the church all her life.

This is where she met her husband in 1959. Andrews was working as a Sunday school secretary while Chester was in a singing quartet with her father.

“Most folks went home to play hopscotch, get on the phone and whatnot and do whatever, but once we met here at the church, we started staying more,” Chester Andrews said.

They’ve been married for 62 years. Andrews supported her husband especially after they moved to Spokane in 1971. He became the reverend of Calvary Baptist Church in 1974.

“She always believed in the church growing,” he said. “So loving, caring and concerned. She made sure the church was prospering. She made sure we were always on the (uptick) and I can appreciate that. It helps set examples for men and women.”

By then, they would have their five children, Chester Jr., Darryl, Kenny, Dana, and Lyn. For Chester Andrews, his wife represents what many in the church world refer to as a “Proverbs 31 woman” – a woman that

is “worth far more than rubies,” a woman who brings her husband “good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

“I made a commitment to God when the preacher said do you take this woman to be your wedded wife,” he said. “She has been my partner and she has been remarkable.”

In the home, he sees her mothering skills embodying the scripture of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Her children recall their mother as a “woman of strength, determination, courage.” During their upbringing, she was a caring mother, using the “sandwich method” to ease her children’s hearts with critique in the middle but compliments at the beginning and end. She was also a firm parent, able to shoot out the “look” from afar. The kids got right instantly.

Rather it be Andrews’ lifelong advice of “live the life you preach about” or running an adult family home for the church beyond the

responsibilities at her own home, the Andrews children praised their mother as a woman who wears her many hats in motherhood.

“We never went hungry or unclothed when we were kids,” said Kenny Andrews. “We would go to 2 Swabbies and didn’t pick what we wanted but Mama showed us what we got and that’s what we had. We appreciated it and we loved it.”

He added: “She was a good (mother) because she trained us from when we were children. I can be all alone because I can iron, cook, clean and wash my clothes. I can fold fitted sheets, so they can look like they came out of the store package. Her and Daddy developed their five children to prepare for life.”

After watching his mother and other Calvary Baptist members successfully open the church’s Soup Kitchen 10 years ago, Kenny opened up his own restaurant, the Edgewater Lounge on Diamond Lake. He serves “down home” New Orleans recipes, dishes his mother whipped up throughout his childhood. The restaurant, he says, pays homage to Andrew’s undying service to her community and her humble beginnings, two prominent factors of her well-loved spirit.

For Lyn Andrews, the youngest, her mother is an aspiring beacon of Black womanhood, and she recalled Andrew’s individuality and “refusal to conform and still succeed.”

“There’s no half-steppin’ on programs or fundraisers; she’s all in,” Lyn Andrews said. “She comes from a social service background in the community health and school and college system. She’s taken programs that were nothing and made them top programs at the college level. It’s an honor to talk about my mother because she’s so endearing to me. At times, I feel like I’m down

or defeated, I look at my mom because she’s overcome so much, she’s a lady because she’s the true definition of lady.”

Outside of the home and church, Andrews worked at Spokane Falls Community College in education and summer programs for 20 years. She has also worked in fruit canneries where, according to Kenny Andrews, she brought home “the best fruit you’ve ever had in your life.”

Doris Andrews’ impact permeates the city of Spokane by touching the hearts of those she’s around. Glenn Vaughn, a marriage therapist and Calvary Baptist Church member, said his heart “swells with joy” around Andrews, who “radiates love and is very accepting.” Vaughn, who nominated her for Women of the Year, has come to know Andrews through her post-service fellowship and personal interactions like Frankie Doodle lunches after church.

“I think that it is deeply humbling to be around her,” Vaughn said. “I feel like I’m around my role model. I would love to be as loving and forgiving as she is. I notice how all of her children revere her and she has a wonderful relationship with her husband.”

At nearly 80, Doris Andrews has and is still creating the life well lived, rooted in Christ, family and love. The quiet woman did not have to speak to her accomplishments or character, the actions and legacy spoke for her.

Amber D. Dodd, who can be reached at amberd@spokesman.com, is the Carl Maxey Racial and Social Inequity reporter for Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Her reporting primarily appears in both The Spokesman-Review and The Black Lens newspaper, and is funded in part by the Michael Conley Charitable Fund, the Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund, the Innovia Foundation and other local donors.

KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Calvary Baptist Church’s first lady Doris Andrews greets members of the congregation on Sunday before the start of service in Spokane.

“

I would love to be as loving and forgiving as she is.

I notice how all of her children revere her and she has a wonderful relationship with her husband.”

Glenn Vaughn

Marriage therapist and Calvary Baptist Church member, about Doris G. Andrews

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November 7, 2021 • Sunday • T3

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Dana Bellefeuille provides jobs to those with physical, developmental disabilities through the Village Bakery

KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Pastry chef Dana Bellefeuille is fulfilling her dream of opening Village Bakery in Hayden, which will employ people with physical and developmental disabilities to teach them life and job skills. She is photographed at the future bakery location on Oct. 18.

BAKING UP ACCESSIBILITY

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By Amy Edelen

|

The Spokesman-Review

or Dana Bellefeuille, baking means more than just creating a tiered wedding cake or a delectable pastry – it’s a way to connect with others and make the community a better place.

Bellefeuille, a pastry chef with more than 20 years of experience in baking and culinary arts, plans to mentor young adults with physical and developmental disabilities through the Village Bakery, which is slated to open next month at 190 W. Hayden Ave. in Hayden.

“The bakery is meant to highlight abilities. For so many of us that have some sort of a special need – we are looked over for jobs because we’re a little bit different,” Bellefeuille said.

“There is still so much talent that everyone has, if they’re just given an opportunity. It’s my mission more than anything to show our community what we can do, and if I could inspire other companies to take a look at these individuals to add to their businesses, our community would be so much stronger.”

Employees at the bakery will learn baking, food preparation, cake decorating and organizational skills, in addition to gaining valuable life skills and a sense of independence, Bellefeuille said.

“Everything is going to be done in a way that will make sure they are able to help themselves at home as well as in any workplace and give them skills they would use in any bakery or coffee shop,” she said.

Bellefeuille’s desire to create opportunities for those with physical and developmental disabilities began at an early age.

“We were all teased for something growing up, and I was teased because I had a learning disability.

I was dyslexic and back in that day, I was segregated from my classmates. I was teased because I was different. And all I wanted was to be included,” she said.

“Then, when I was a teenager, I was visiting a friend and she was talking about a book about kids with special needs, and God giving them to special parents,” she added. “I wished to myself that I would be thought of as special and years later, I was blessed with two kids with special needs – one with a physical disability and one with a developmental disability. Then you go into parent mode, and you try to protect them from the meanness of the world and you just pray that they will be accepted and they will find

their way in life.”

Bellefeuille’s inspiration for the bakery was sparked two years ago while her son was attending Project SEARCH, a high school transition program that provides education and training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“That is where I met a young woman, Emily. She had Down syndrome and she said that she wanted to work in a coffee shop or a bakery,” Bellefeuille said. “That’s when the light bulb went off. I have been a pastry chef for 20 years and everyone here said that I should open a bakery. I really didn’t see the point until I met Emily, and that’s when I knew what I needed to do – put the two things that I know a lot about together and create the Village Bakery.”

Bellefeuille had been operating the bakery out of her home prior to finding a brick-and-mortar location in Hayden. She launched a GoFundMe campaign in August to assist with costs of opening the Village Bakery, in addition to taking out personal and business loans to fund the project.

The community has been extremely supportive of the bakery, she said.

Someone purchased a new washer and dryer for the bakery, while others donated a cookie printer and dough sheeter, which will be imperative for making Danish pastries and croissants, and rolling out pie and cookie dough, Bellefeuille said.

“Our entire community has rallied around this project and supported us and held us up because it’s needed in our community and everybody wants to see this succeed. They want to see our village succeed,” she said. “It’s going to work because of who we hire, and how wonderful and amazing they are. It doesn’t have anything to do with me. I just get a front-row seat to watch this

beautiful story unfold.”

Bellefeuille is kindhearted and always willing to help community members in need, said Debbie Kitselman, a neighbor of the pastry chef for more than 12 years.

Kitselman said she’s delighted to see Bellefeuille’s longtime dream of opening the Village Bakery come to fruition.

“She really is an inspiration,” Kitselman said. “She’s a great advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves.”

Bellefeuille is a self-taught pastry chef. Her interest in baking began several years ago after making a wedding cake for her sister. “(My husband and I) put together a very modest 1970s style wedding cake with carnations upon pillars, and my grandfather went back for fourths of cake,” she said. “I thought to myself, there’s something here and I needed to explore it further. I was hooked from that moment.”

At the time, Bellefeuille couldn’t afford to attend pastry school, so she read books on culinary arts and baked for neighbors. Later, she taught cake decorating.

Bellefeuille moved to North Idaho a dozen years ago after her husband took a job with the Spokane Valley Fire Department. Bellefeuille has served as a pastry chef at the Coeur d’Alene Resort and Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery in Coeur

d’Alene.

The most rewarding aspect of teaching baking skills to those with disabilities is giving them a sense of purpose and confidence, Bellefeuille said.

Bellefeuille recalls teaching baking skills to a young woman with cerebral palsy who aspired to attend pastry school. The young woman and her mother traveled from Texas to Idaho to train with Bellefeuille.

“They stayed with me for two weeks and we got to work together,” Bellefeuille said. “The daughter had to do the (cake) piping herself one-handed and she nailed it. She jumped up and down in my kitchen and celebrated. We gave her the confidence. She just needed a little push to get there and she has since graduated from pastry school.”

Bellefeuille said she would love to eventually open additional Village Bakery locations.

“We would love to be able to see this take off, and it’s not just me that is doing this,” she said. “There are similar stories across the United States of parents that are doing the exact same thing, so they know that their children will be included in society.

“I’m not the first and I’m definitely not going to be the last.”

Amy Edelen can be reached at (509) 459-5581 or at amye@spokesman.com.

T4 • Sunday • November 7, 2021

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“

There’s so much pain, and this is not, I think, God’s intention for creation. I believe, and I know my church believes, we will do everything we can to alleviate suffering and to bring joy and peace.

This is our vocation.”

The Rev. Andy CastroLang

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI

The Rev. Andy CastroLang is the pastor of the Westminster United Church of Christ, also called by its historical name, Westminster Congregational.

‘SHE WALKS THE TALK’

I

CastroLang promotes social justice at Spokane’s oldest church

By Greg Mason | The Spokesman-Review

n some ways, the Rev. Andrea “Andy” CastroLang can be as much of a fighter as she is a lover.

Throughout her life in ministry for the United Church of Christ, CastroLang – better known as “Pastor Andy” – and her congregants have fought for issues including support for at-risk populations, marriage equality, racial equity and environmental activism.

Much of this has taken place in her 19 years as pastor at Westminster Congregational, Spokane’s oldest church. The issues have nevertheless persisted in that time, during which CastroLang and the church have seen opposition through hate mail and protests.

Asked what drives her, CastroLang said she finds strength in people, be it her congregants or the church’s partnering organizations throughout Spokane.

“We trust in what we do and we support each other in this congregation. We have allies in the city,” she said. “So, we carry on.”

Another part of that was forged from her early life in Colorado.

Growing up one of seven children helped her realize “shared relationships are stronger than anyone alone.” Her parents, meanwhile, taught her acceptance of others and to “cherish creation” in loving the outdoors.

CastroLang was working in campus ministry at Blessed John XXIII University Center in Fort Collins, Colorado when she met her future husband, Jim, who was a priest.

The two fell in love in spite of their faith: Catholicism commits priests to a vow of celibacy.

Catholicism also forbids women from becoming priests. Feeling the faith relegates women to “second-class status,” CastroLang took a theology class through which she

discovered Protestantism.

“I was going to do it to make my argument (to leave Catholicism),” she said. “Instead, I fell more and more in love with the gospels, with this guy named Jesus, and it was surprising to me to recognize that this felt right. This was right.”

She and her husband married in 1985, combining their last names (Jim Castro and Andy Lang). This cost them their positions in the Catholic church – as well as many friendships, CastroLang said.

“We had to believe that even though all of this trial and suffering was happening and hurting, this was not the end of the story,” she said. “For me, that’s never the end of the story.”

In finding a new place to “live out our vocations,” she said, the two turned to the United Church of Christ.

CastroLang relocated from Colorado to the Seattle area in 1983, one year after her husband moved to the area. The two moved to Spokane in 2002 when she took the pastoral role at Westminster. Jim, meanwhile, serves as pastor at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Colville. The two have two children and three grandchildren.

Pastor Andy said her proudest moments in her nearly two decades at Westminster have come in serving others, particularly vulnerable populations.

In 2007, the church ordained Marjorie Johnson, who was believed to be the first openly gay woman ordained by a mainline Protestant church in Spokane.

CastroLang said the church has also helped provide health care screenings for low-income residents and has campaigned for increased bus routes and increased access to public transit. Westminster has served as a warming center in recent years during the colder months, including last year, when Jewels Helping Hands set up a 30-bed pop-up shelter at the church.

“Because Westminster is the city’s first and oldest church, it seems to me they’ve always had an identity that they would serve the city, not just the members,” CastroLang said. “There’s so much pain, and this is not, I think, God’s intention for creation. I believe, and I know my church believes, we will do everything we can to alleviate suffering and to bring joy and peace. This is our vocation.”

Bridget Cannon, senior vice president for youth services for Volunteers of America Spokane, said CastroLang and the church congregation have supported the Crosswalk Youth Shelter over the years.

Local live music, raffle baskets and silent auctions to raise money for Crosswalk were a pre-pandemic tradition as part of the annual Jam for Bread benefit hosted at Westminster.

Westminster’s effort to step up as a warming shelter is “Pastor Andy in a nutshell,” Cannon said, describing her as someone who’s accepting, encouraging, nurturing and inclusive of all populations, including those in the LGBTQ+ community and people of color.

“She truly understood who these young people are and she truly

understood what they needed, and that really isn’t tangible things,” Cannon said. “Yes, they need a bed and food, but most importantly, what they all need is love and acceptance.

“I’ve never seen her down. I’ve seen her mad at social injustice, but I’ve never seen her down,” she added. “She’s very optimistic. ‘We can do this.’ ‘This can be done.’ ‘It’s up to us to do it.’ Those kinds of things.

Just such a fighter.”

CastroLang has presided over many same-sex weddings over the years, and her funeral services have extended to people that other churches may turn down, such as alcoholics and drug addicts, she said.

“Pastor Andy has been, I would say, a bright light for many years in this denomination,” said parishioner Morag Stewart. “She’s authentic. She’s not somebody that preaches something and behaves different. She walks the talk, and that’s really important.”

Though mum about her own future with the church, CastroLang said Westminster is in conversation with city officials and development about using the church building in “new and creative ways.”

Whether as a shelter or as a concert hall for the Spokane Symphony, the building has adapted in the past. Crafting a new vision for 411 S. Washington St., she said, will likely take multiple years to realize.

Even still, Westminster isn’t the building, CastroLang said. “(The building) is just a vessel for the true Westminster, which is the people’s vision, the people’s desire, the people’s love of each other and this city,” she said. “This church is made up of vibrant people and willing hands. That’s Westminster.”

Greg Mason can be reached at (509) 459-5047 or gregm@spokesman.com.

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November 7, 2021 • Sunday • T5

INLAND NORTHWEST WOMEN OF THE YEAR

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JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI

Shauna Edwards stands in the corridor at Lumen High School on Oct. 18 in downtown Spokane. The charter school is focused on teen mothers and has about 60 students.

LIGHTING THE WAY

Shauna Edwards founded Lumen High, a landing place for teen parents

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By Jim Allen | The Spokesman-Review

he hallways of Lumen High School are bright and full of hope, a reflection of the woman in charge.

As a student passes by, Shauna Edwards quietly calls her name and asks “how did it go?” She knows exactly what “it” means. So does the student, who shrugs, uncertainty etched on her face. Edwards responds with a touch on the shoulder and a promise.

“My door is always open,” says Edwards, the founder and executive director of Lumen, the first charter school in Eastern Washington to serve teen parents.

Derived from Latin, the word “Lumen” has two meanings: “light” and “opening.”

The school, located above Riverside Avenue across from the STA Plaza, offers both to a group of underserved students who often have lived in darkness.

More than one teen mom has told Edwards of days that begin at 4 a.m., with a quick shower, swaddling a newborn and trudging to a bus stop because that’s the only way she can make it to a caregiver.

Then she hops another bus to school. Eight hours later, she takes the trip in reverse and arrives home bone-tired and wondering how her homework will ever get done.

No wonder that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about half of the nation’s teen mothers earn a high school diploma.

Teens that have a child before age 18 are even less likely to graduate; only 38% earn a diploma and another 19% get a GED. “The thing for me was that teen parents have always felt invisible,” Edwards said. “But our community rose up to provide them a space.

“When they walk in here for the first time, some of them start crying. Then they say ‘I get to go to this place, a place where it feels like I could learn.’”

Lumen is much more than that for Ciara Delesby, a sophomore who transferred from Lewis and Clark High School.

“I came to Lumen because it was an awesome support for me,” Delesby said. “They really care about us and love us, and they helped me become a better

person.”

“And they helped me get my son back,” Delesby said.

Edwards also created Glow Early Learning Center, so students have childcare close by.

“We have two nonprofits,” Edwards said. “We exist because of each other.”

MiLeeyah Brough, a transfer from East Valley, said she’s found a home for herself and her infant daughter.

“She’s been here since she was 3 weeks old,” Brough said.

Edwards saw the need more than a dozen years ago – the challenge of helping kids who in one sense grew up too fast yet missed out on what they needed most.

“I had a baby, and they had a baby, but we were living two totally different stories,” Edwards said.

In the fall of 2008, she founded Spokane YoungLives, a nonprofit startup that offered support groups, mentoring, resources and connection to community services for teen parents and their children.

During the next nine years, Edwards and her board of directors found enough support in the community to substantially boost its budget, hire more staff and launch a separate nonprofit to provide housing for teen mothers in the city.

“It was a place for them to come and feel valued and worthwhile,” Edwards said.

At one point, almost every district in the area had a small day care in their alternative school care.

“For several reasons, those programs went away and didn’t come back,” Edwards said Too many girls – the ones without help from family or friends – were falling through the cracks and flunking out.

In 2016, she connected with

Gene Sementi, then the superintendent at the West Valley School District, who reinforced the need.

“He asked me ‘Have you ever thought of starting a charter school?’ “ Others offered the same suggestion, but it fell to Edwards to do the work.

She applied to the Washington State Charter School Association and its incubator program, “where they walk you through this crazy process.”

That included forming a design team, obtaining grants, meeting with community stakeholders, finding a site and winning approval from Spokane Public Schools, which oversees charter schools in the area.

That came in the summer of 2019, when Edwards and her team won unanimous approval from the board.

“This is a well-planned, wellthought-out and much-needed program,” former school board member Deana Brower said before the vote.

The mission was straightforward, and it’s reflected in Lumen’s mission statement: to empower two generations by providing high academic standards, a specialized early learning center and wraparound supports to meet the layered needs of teen parents.

With an opening targeted for the fall of 2020, more work lay ahead. Fortunately, space opened up downtown following the closure of an English language school on Riverside.

That Lumen sits across the street from the STA Plaza was icing on the cake.

The celebration was muted

by COVID-19, which forced the school into remote learning.

However, Edwards always seems to find a bright side in the darkness.

Through weekly home deliveries of food and other interactions, “we got to know their home life, a lot of insight into what their lives were like.”

And as the school moved through remote learning and hybrid models, “we got to see what works and what doesn’t,” Edwards said.

There’s more work ahead. Minor construction is happening at Lumen and Glow, and both have room to grow.

Looking back at the accomplishments, “I was just the person who brought the community together and said that we need this process going,” Edwards said.

Jim Allen can be reached at (509) 459-5437 or by email at jima@ spokesman.com.

Congratulations to the Women of the Year!

Thank you for your vision and leadership.

Your commitment makes a difference every day in our community.

UnitedWaySpokane.org

T6 • Sunday • November 7, 2021

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Malden mother, daughter never hesitated to give back to community with volunteer service after one lost her home in fire

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Janell Turner, left, and her mother, Nellie Flatt, sit outside Turner’s home on Oct. 21 in Malden, Washington.

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FULL CIRCLE

By Emma Epperly | The Spokesman-Review

he road leading into main street in Malden, Washington, looks almost normal at first glance, with a row of old weathered homes with full garden beds standing on one side.

But on the other side are burn-scarred divots where similar homes once stood.

Nellie Flatt, 82, knows life on both sides of the street. She first lived in a home that’s still standing. After her husband died, she bought the house across the street and turned the upstairs into a sewing room where she created her elaborate square-dancing ensembles.

Flatt’s daughter, Janell Turner, 58, moved into the first house across the street. Life was good for the mother-daughter duo: Turner managed a physical therapy office in Spokane and Flatt volunteered at a local thrift store and went square dancing on the weekends.

Then came the fire.

Flatt lost all of her treasures in just a few hours.

While many people might be devastated, Flatt and Turner instead rallied around others, stepping up to meet their neighbors’ needs and become leaders in the recovery effort.

Hank Cramer, contractor for Washington State Emergency Management, first met the mother-daughter duo shortly after the fire and was impressed with their selflessness.

“They made it clear from the start that they would neither ask nor accept help for themselves. They wished only to help those less fortunate than themselves,” Cramer wrote when nominating them for Women of the Year. “A year has now elapsed from that terrible fire, and they have proven true to their words.”

It will all work out

Flatt grew up in Clarkston and lived there most of her life. She got married shortly after her 18th birthday and had her first child 10 months later. The babies just kept coming; over the next decade, Flatt had six more children.

The four boys and three girls kept her busy. When the youngest headed off to school, Flatt divorced. She decided to get a job.

Flatt wanted to keep an eye on her children, so she found a job as a school bus driver. She was just the second woman to drive a school bus in Clarkston, Flatt said.

“She was like the one that coaches wanted to have them take on a trip because they knew that they were safe,” Turner said. “She was competent, she could handle anything, the stress level didn’t matter.”

Flatt quickly struck up a friendship with Bob Flatt, who managed the school

bus garage. They soon married.

“He was heaven-sent,” Flatt said of her late husband.

In the early 1990s, the Flatts retired and moved to Malden. They paid off their home and traveled as Bob played with the Banana Belt Old Time Fiddlers.

Nellie Flatt often sang with the group.

By this time Turner, the fifth of Flatt’s seven children, had graduated high school and started running a bakery in Lewiston. In the mid-1980s, Turner got pregnant with her daughter Tiffani.

The first months of Tiffani’s life were a whirlwind with a slew of serious medical conditions that eventually let to diagnosis of a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Doctors told Turner her daughter likely would only live for a few months. Even with the grim prognosis, Turner was determined her daughter would live life to the fullest.

“I took the bull by the horns and took care of her,” Turner said.

Flatt was right by her daughter’s side, supporting her every step of the way.

“She made my life possible,” Turner said, looking at her mother with tears in her eyes. “My dream come true – to be a mom.”

Tiffani was able to go home on a ventilator and became one of the most active ventilator patients in the United States, even swimming with the device helping to breathe for her. She died at age 13 in 1998 from complications with her condition.

The experience of caring for and parenting Tiffani was life-changing for Turner.

She began managing the Spokane Sports and Physical Therapy office where she could help inspire patients to live their best lives, just like she had done for Tiffani.

The patients Turner likes best are the difficult ones, who need extra support to make it through their rehab program.

“My favorites are the grouchy ones and I can break through to them and get them to smile and be happy to come,” Turner said. “If they’re happy to come, then they’re going to buy into the pro-

gram and help me get them well.”

Turner may have learned her love for turning around even the worst of attitudes from her mother.

Flatt often shopped at Gifted Granny’s, a nonprofit thrift store in Rosalia, Washington, managed by a group of mostly older residents.

They asked her if she wanted to work there and Flatt, who was already wondering what to do with her time, said yes.

The store has books, toys, baking sheets and everything in between, all priced well below second-hand shops in Spokane. Volunteering was a chance for Flatt to brighten people’s day and connect them with much-needed household items.

Flatt greets each customer with her big smile and caring demeanor. Chat with her for more than a moment and Flatt will slip in a well-timed joke that disarms even the grouchiest of customers.

Joking with customers and “getting them excited about life,” is Flatt’s favorite part of the job, she said.

“She’s the best personal shopper you can ever imagine,” Turner said.

Building a new future

After the ashes cooled, it quickly became clear how devastating the fire truly would be for Malden and nearby Pine City residents. The vast majority of residents were either uninsured or underinsured, federal aid was delayed for months, and damaged and outdated infrastructure made rebuilding difficult.

Flatt moved back into her old house, with her daughter. Turner immediately did whatever she could to help her mother, but as the weeks dragged on it became clear that stabilizing the town would help Flatt. So Turner submitted a letter of interest for an opening on Malden town council.

“When this all first happened, we were determined to rebuild for her,” Turner said. “And this was her town.”

Then a group of neighbors organized the Pine Creek Long Term Recovery Group, a nonprofit set up to help support residents and the town through the recovery and rebuilding process. Turner joined the board and quickly became a person who was looked to for sound advice.

The year after the fire was full of ups and downs, with pushback from many townspeople on the recovery process.

For Turner, that controversy has been an unpleasant but necessary part of shaping Malden’s future.

“If we’re going to bring it back, let’s do it right,” Turner said.

She hopes to prevent Malden from returning to a “junk town” of lots lit-

“

tered with trashed cars and junk piles.

With each vote, decision or discussion, Turner said she can feel herself making a difference.

Residents are often angry at many meetings, leading to intense and uncivil confrontations, Cramer said. Somehow, Turner is always the calming voice that emerges from the discourse, he said.

“The thing that impresses me the most is her ability to smooth and calm a conflict – sometimes deep-seeded personal conflict,” Cramer said.

Turner will take control of the conversation and remind everyone they’re working to a common goal.

“It feels really good to know that my input is a part of the rebuilding,” Turner said. “I’ve realized that I’m a lot stronger than I thought.”

For her part, Flatt has become the star volunteer at Malden’s food bank. She went into the food bank one afternoon and saw that it was understaffed.

“I just went down there one day and off the cuff I just started helping him and what have you,” Flatt said.

After an afternoon of chatting with townspeople and helping them shop, Flatt asked if she could come back.

“I’ve been there ever since,” she said.

The help was welcomed by Bob Law, who runs the food bank and said help was sorely needed.

“For a woman that lost everything in a fire, she came back with so much to give and wanted to help people when there’s a lot of things she needs help with herself,” Law said.

Flatt’s welcoming demeanor is a huge factor in making residents feel comfortable coming to the food bank. She greets them, opens her arms for a hug, and then begins subtly pushing and extra item here or there on customers like only a grandmother can.

Visiting the food bank has turned into a social event thanks to Flatt, Cramer said.

“People look forward to coming down to the food bank on Wednesday afternoons because it’s a social event,” Cramer said. “It can be a very humbling and demeaning thing if you don’t have a Nellie there.”

Flatt doesn’t think much of what she does for other people, but instead how helping others gives her joy.

“I like to give to people,” Flatt said.

“And I like to see them be happy.”

Flatt and Turner said volunteering so much of their time this past year has been healing.

“You’re giving, but in giving it makes a full complete circle and comes back to you and fills you up,” Turner said.

Emma Epperly can be reached at (509) 459-5122 or at emmae@spokesman.com

You’re giving, but in giving it makes a full complete circle and comes back to you and fills you up.”

Janell Turner

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November 7, 2021 • Sunday • T7

INLAND NORTHWEST WOMEN OF THE YEAR

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“

I love to argue when I have the reason, but when I don’t have the reason I can say I’m sorry, I was wrong.”

Lupe Gutierrez

VOICE OF REASON, COMPASSION Latinos en Spokane ‘comadre’ Gutierrez helps community with immigration, COVID vaccines, more

A

By Adam Shanks | The Spokesman-Review

voice reached out over the airwaves, urging listeners in Spanish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The speaker was Maria Guadalupe “Lupe” Gutierrez, who was chosen partly because she is bilingual, but mostly because nearly everyone in the community knows her – and knows not to mess with her.

Having poured countless hours into helping people in Spokane with tasks like filling out the necessary immigration paperwork, Gutierrez put her skill and experience to work when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Gutierrez, a Latinos en Spokane “community comadre,” helped hundreds of people sign up for vaccine appointments when they became available earlier this year.

And Gutierrez knows she’s not an easy person to tell no.

“When I know that I’m right, oh, don’t be in front of me,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez was nominated as one of The Spokesman-Review’s Women of the Year by Jennyfer Mesa, one of the founders of Latinos en Spokane.

Gutierrez has been involved with Latinos en Spokane since its early days, helping out with the organization’s community workshops. As its social media presence and outreach was growing, Mesa described Gutierrez as extending its reach to those without internet access.

When Latinos en Spokane received its first grant to conduct outreach ahead of the U.S. Census, it hired Gutierrez as a community comadre, a trusted community messenger.

During the initial stage of the pandemic, Gutierrez was essential in delivering food and personal protective equipment, as well as translating information into Spanish for Latino community members.

It was a natural fit, as so many in the community already knew Gutierrez, a longtime volunteer at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, where she teaches Sunday school in Spanish.

Gutierrez made it a mission to get as many

people vaccinated against the disease as possible, signing up more than 300 people to get a shot at the first community clinic it held at the Native Project. The clinic was a robust community effort and even included El Mercadito, a free farmers market.

“She had the whole town on her list, and she probably would’ve brought in 500 that day had there not been more restrictions,” Mesa said.

The clinic saw 412 people receive the vaccine, according to Dylan Dressler, clinic director for the Native Project. As volunteer coordinator, Gutierrez was instrumental in ensuring its success.

“She recruited all these volunteers together, translated what our directions were from us to them, she worked alongside Jennyfer Mesa on getting the DJs and the culturally appropriate food,” Dressler said. “She really worked her butt off to get 412 people vaccinated in her community.”

Toni Lodge, CEO of the Native Project, said the nonprofit relied on people like Gutierrez to make its vaccination clinics work.

“She knew the community, so her knowledge of the community saved lives. Her and the other comadres just hustled,” Lodge said.

Latinos en Spokane tapped Gutierrez to serve as the “voice of reason” for its vaccination clinics, recording advertisements that went out over a local Spanish language radio station.

Gutierrez said she focused on restaurants and getting their employees vaccinated, warning about the consequences if they didn’t.

“Putting all the information in the system was – oh my lord,” Gutierrez said.

People who know Gutierrez describe her as someone people naturally reach out to when they need help.

“Her number and my number, we get calls all the time. ... Lupe, she has her specialty where she worked as a paralegal and understands the court system. She’s not afraid of it,” Mesa said.

Her penchant for helping others extends far beyond her work for Latinos en Spokane.

She now works as a caregiver to the elderly, a career she picked up after she promised a dying friend she would take care of her husband, who had previously suffered a stroke.

Gutierrez immigrated to the United States after meeting an American man with whom she shared mutual friends. They moved to the United States and married in El Paso, Texas,

though they are no longer married. Her immigration story is relatively straightforward, but she soon learned that isn’t the case for everyone.

“I came with my visa already so I didn’t have to deal like a lot of people do, it’s what I feel sorry for,” Gutierrez said. “I never imagined what they went through until I started seeing these movies and talking to people.”

When Gutierrez moved to the United States, her English was “broken, broken, broken.” Her only formal English training was for about six months when she was 10 years old, and she only learned basics like the words for colors.

But she ultimately earned a degree in social work.

Gutierrez was working as a paralegal and won an internship under a prosecutor but became disenchanted with the system. She then switched to the defense and came away from both dissatisfied.

She realized “I don’t think I’m on the right path.”

She’s used that experience and expertise as she committed herself to community work.

As a community comadre for Latinos en Spokane, Gutierrez aids in an array of challenges faced by the people who walk in.

“That is our motto – come in and ask, we can help with immigration, rental assistance, all these different systems,” Mesa said.

Gutierrez takes pride in helping people overcome the challenges of applying for things like Social Security. The day before her interview with The Spokesman-Review, she had accompanied a man to a vehicle licensing office and the Social Security office.

She recalled the way one man was clutching onto his identifying documents, afraid to drop them in the mail for fear of never having them returned.

“This poor guy doesn’t even speak English.

It’s those people who I feel rewarded when I do something for them, because this boy ... he’s holding his birth certificate and his passport like gold.”

Gutierrez has developed an intimate knowledge of systems, and doesn’t back down if she feels she is in the right.

“I love to argue when I have the reason, but when I don’t have the reason I can say I’m sorry, I was wrong,” Gutierrez said.

Adam Shanks can be reached at (509) 459-5136 or at adams@spokesman.com.

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI

Lupe Gutierrez stands in the offices of Latinos en Spokane. Gutierrez, who makes her living as a caregiver, also volunteers with Latinos en Spokane.

T8 • Sunday • November 7, 2021

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STEPPING IT UP

F

Ostersmith shares joy of performance any chance she gets

By Ed Condran | The Spokesman-Review

orget the myriad mother-in-law jokes when it comes to Suzanne Ostersmith and Christi Smith. They are a walking mutual admiration society. The latter nominated the former for Women of the Year and wasn’t taken aback when Ostersmith was selected.

“I wasn’t surprised at all that she’s one of the Women of the Year,” Smith said while calling from her South Hill home. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Suzanne was named Woman of the Year. She’s a marvelous person, who is amazingly talented.

“She shares that talent and empowers people. She has had such an amazing impact on our family and the community.”

Ostersmith is an associate professor of theatre and dance, and a dance director at Gonzaga University. The Stanford alum founded the academic dance programs at Gonzaga and Whitworth in 2000 and directed and choreographed shows simultaneously for a decade.

The San Francisco native, who established the dance major, minor and interdisciplinary arts minor at Gonzaga and was granted tenure as a professor in the spring of 2021, is understandably proud of all that she has accomplished after moving to the Inland Northwest in 1998.

“It blows my brain out on a regular basis,” Ostersmith said from the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, where she is director.

When Ostersmith left her post at the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle in 1998 to build her family home in Chattaroy, the intention was to focus on family, including her husband Mark, and her two sons, Niklas and Daniel.

“My husband, Mark, grew up in Spokane and I wanted to be closer to my inlaws, who are the most wonderful people,” Ostersmith said. “We built a home and I didn’t think I would be getting back to work any time soon.”

However, the energetic, eclectic artist founded the Old Orchard Theatre on Green Bluff months after relocating, and it was run under Ostersmith’s direction for 13 years, raising $70,000 in scholarships, which were given to Green Bluff students. The musicals featured community company members ranging from ages 8 to 80.

Smith’s husband, Gil Smith, starred in many of the plays.

“It was fun, homegrown theater that was run so well since Suzanne was on top of everything,” Smith said.

Ostersmith laughed when reminiscing.

“I had a wonderful time with a wonderful cast,” Ostersmith said. “It was a great experience. I was compelled to do it

and don’t regret a minute of it.”

In 2010, Ostersmith decided to focus on her work at Gonzaga.

“It’s fertile ground here,” Ostersmith said. “I wanted to make an impact at Gonzaga, and I decided to put all of my eggs into the Gonzaga basket and it’s worked out well. I’ve been moving through the ranks.

“It’s been so serendipitous. I love working with college students. I can’t imagine being happier.”

The unrelenting dynamo features professional dance in Spokane courtesy of “The Suzanne Ostersmith Dance Endowment.”

“No one else is presenting dance here on a regular basis so I bring in professional dance companies,” Ostersmith said. “My students need to see professional dancers and by producing shows they learn from it. There’s a real love of dance here.

“We’re bringing in the Spectrum Dance Theater from Seattle Nov. 20 at the Myrtle Woldson theater. It’s wonderful since people can experience what they do here so they don’t have to drive over the mountains to get to Seattle to witness their artistry.”

Prior to that show, Ostersmith will choreograph “Orpheus and Eurydice,” which is slated for Friday and Sunday at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox. “I’m very excited about this show,” Ostersmith said. “The whole region is excited to see opera again after a long hiatus. To do live opera is so exciting. The director (Dan Wallace Miller) has a great contemporary take on this ancient story.

“I’m impressed the way the Northwest Opera is handling this with COVID. I’m so pleased with my dancers. I have four from Gonzaga: Ryan Hayes, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Alaina Margo and Maria Scott. They’re all dance majors, who are spectacular. It’s wonderful for them to have this professional experience.”

Ostersmith can’t help but look ahead to next year.

“In February, we have a week of celebrating our bodies and dance,” Ostersmith said. “It’s about taking care of ourselves through dance. The program is called ‘Cura Personalis,’ Latin for caring for the whole person.

“It’s a big thing for our campus that we would like to share with our community so they can learn how to take care of their bodies through dance.”

Ostersmith, who moved to Browne’s Addition in 2014, takes care of her body by hitting local trails.

“I love to bike around the area,” Ostersmith said. “I even bike to school. I also love to ski.”

She balances physical activities with creatives ones.

“I’m a visual artist, who loves to paint,” she said.

And Ostersmith has no greater fans than her in-laws.

“We’re so proud of her,” Smith said.

“Suzanne is not just incredibly talented.

She can’t say no and she’s always helping students and the community. If only there were more people like her.”

Ed Condran can be reached at (509) 4595440 or at edc@spokesman.com.

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Suzanne Ostersmith, shown Oct. 25, is the professor of dance at Gonzaga Unversity. Ostersmith helped found the dance program and has been there since it started in 2000.

THE NOMINEES ARE ...

We asked our readers to send us the names of women they would pick as Women of the Year for 2021. They came through with well over 100 nominations for 84 individuals. Difficult as it was to determine the 12 remarkable women who have accomplished amazing things – as well as the three recognized for years of dedication and accomplishments – we believe the others you trumpeted for their dedication and community impact should be duly noted. Below is the list of all the women who were nominated, and the kind words said about them. Submissions have been edited for length and clarity.

Deb Abrahamson

Longtime activist on the Spokane Indian Reservation Nominated by Erv Schleufer Her long fight for justice and doing it while battling cancer she got from working in the Midnite Mine ended Jan. 1, 2021.

Alene Alexander

Retired executive director, Embrace Washington Nominated by Don Watch and Nancy Walker Alene was a founding partner of Embrace Washington, a nonprofit committed to providing, caring and supporting children in foster care and in the foster care community.

It raises funding for foster family activities and supports their needs, with such efforts as Foster Moms Tea, Daddy Daughter Dance, Princess Party, Dads, Dudes and Science and Foster Santa Breakfast. Alene provided hope and help for the

“aged out” foster children in our area.

Eleanor Ann Andersen

Nominated by C. Matthew Andersen, spouse First line manager for AT&T, from 1973-86. President of Junior Achievement of the Inland Northwest from 1986-2004. She was instrumental in starting and continuing Spokane’s Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, starting in 1987. President of Junior League of Spokane from 1991-92.

Spokane Symphony trustee, Women Helping Women Fund board chair.

Can organize a potluck faster than you can say, “What can I bring?”

Kathy Bixler

Realtor with Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Nominated by Mollie Sweat The 82-year-old Energizer Bunny!

She will again be the top-producing

agent at Coldwell Banker Tomlinson in Spokane. She thrives on helping people find the perfect home and get top dollar selling their homes.

She is one of the best real estate agents in Spokane and gives countless hours to community with the Spokane Club and Endowment, Fox Theater Board, United Way, First Tee of the Inland NW and Spokane Symphony Endowment.

Sara Broderius

Nominated by Meg Doherty Sara and husband have fostered numerous children over the past decade and eventually adopted three little boys, each with special needs.

She found a neighbor who had not been heard from in days who had fallen and broken an ankle. She got help for him; even two dogs needed medical care. She took the dogs to vet, and with permission from owner, had neighbors help to clean the home, do household repairs.

When the wife returned home from a trip, she was in tears over the transformation. The husband returned from the hospital and the couple has since been adopted into Sara’s family, as they had been lonely and isolated.

Katie Brodie

Long-time active Republican in local Idaho politics Nominated by W.T. Richards Served eight years at North Idaho representative for former Gov. Butch Otter. First female president of the Hayden Lake County Club, first female Kootenai County Commissioner, and current first female chairman of Kootenai Health Hospital’s Board of Trustees.

Sally Bulger Quirk

Volunteer Nominated by spouse Tim Quirk She volunteers helping young people get admitted to college

and obtain the necessary funding, including students from Bosnia, Ukraine and a Chinese American family. She chaired the Christmas Bureau for several years.

Bridget Cannon

Senior vice president of youth services, Volunteers of America Crosswalk Nominated by David Scott During the pandemic between staffing issues and working to maintain safe spaces for our youth, her guidance and determination allowed VOA to not only remain in operation it also allowed VOA to grow as an organization, developing new programs such as the new Young Adult Shelter. Bridget’s ongoing vision and passion for helping the youth in our community is inspiring. Under her team’s tutelage, she has helped develop and

See NOMINEES, 9

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KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Tracie Swanson has been director of Our Place Comminuty Ministries for 13 years, helping people in need in the West Central neighborhood and beyond.

GIVING PEOPLE CHANCES Swanson leads food bank that has seen huge uptick in demand

T

By Colin Tiernan | The Spokesman-Review

racie Swanson doesn’t seem to like talking about herself much.

When she’s the topic of discussion she looks nervous and becomes a woman of few words.

But ask her a question about Our Place, the food bank she runs in West Central Spokane, and she lights up while explaining how the nonprofit has adapted to helping tens of thousands more people during the pandemic. And she has plenty to say when praising her volunteers and the services offered.

Not every food bank has a place where clients can do their laundry for free, Swanson said, pointing out new-looking machines that are 13 years old, kept in tip-top shape by Laundry Service Manager Bob Carlson.

Swanson has been at Our Place for 13 years. As executive director, she said the food bank’s impact has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pre-pandemic, Our Place might have had 1,000 or so clients a month in need of food, clothes, hygiene products, utility assistance and bus passes. In general, a lot of Our Place’s clients are seniors on fixed incomes, the homeless and people with disabilities.

NOMINEES Continued from 8

improve the many programs VOA provides to our struggling youth in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Her determination and foresight creates the ability for all youth to have every opportunity for success and self-worth.

The Rev. Barbara L. Caviezel

Operations director for Shalom Ministries Nominated by Tim Swartout, executive director of Shalom Ministries When COVID arrived, Barbara stepped up to fill an urgent need and took on the task to lead and direct the meal site operations.

Today, she can seen four mornings a week at Third Avenue and Howard Street greeting breakfast guests, distributing donated clothing and blankets, and giving a prayer when requested. Besides the management of Shalom’s operations, she coordinates a system of volunteers needed to balance out the operational staff, all while receiving no financial benefit.

Stephanie Childress

Assistant dean, PACE Services (People Accessing Careers and Education) Spokane Community College Nominated by Jeff Dorney Her leadership has made the PACE program a model for the entire

Due to the pandemic, the number of people needing Our Place’s help has spiked.

“So many people who have never visited a food bank before are now visiting,” Swanson said.

In September of this year, 4,450 came to Our Place. On one Thursday in mid-October, the food bank had 750 visitors.

A lot has changed at Our Place during the pandemic in addition to the dramatic increase in people needing food.

In the past, Our Place, like many food banks, required clients to provide identification for all of their family members. Plus, there were limits on how often people could come for food.

state. PACE provides academic and job training skills to adults with disabilities throughout Eastern Washington. Stephanie has hired new instructors, reinvigorated the curriculum and increased enrollment since her arrival. Her persistent, solid leadership ensured PACE instruction continued in a hybrid (in-person and virtual) mode throughout the pandemic.

Carla Cicero

President and CEO of Numerica Credit Union Nominated by Stephanie Stevenson Carla makes Numerica’s core purpose of enhancing lives, fulfilling dreams and building communities a reality. She gives back through personal volunteerism, growing a large organization and caring for every team member. As a volunteer, she’s poured herself into our community. Celebrating 10 years with Numerica, Carla’s vision from the beginning was to give back at least 5% of net earnings to the community.

In the 10 years she’s been CEO, employees have volunteered more than 140,000 hours and Numerica has donated more than $12 million to local causes.

Kali Clark Dayton

Acute care nurse practitioner Nominated by Shelly Clark She works with hospital systems throughout the country interested in converting their ICU protocols to awake ventilation for COVID patients.

People who lived in the West Central neighborhood could come twice a month and people outside of the neighborhood could visit once.

Now the ID requirement and the visit limits are things of the past.

“We want to reduce the barriers,” Swanson said. “We want to take away the stigma of visiting a food bank.”

Federal funding through the CARES Act helped make much of that possible.

There’s been more food made available to food banks, although Swanson noted it’s been difficult to find volunteers during the pandemic.

Our Place has also made another significant change: People who come for food, clothes and hygiene products can volunteer now.

“Most people don’t want to just receive,” Swanson said. “They want to give as well.”

On top of that, Our Place now gives visitors the opportunity to pick out more of the foods they want to take home, farmers market style.

People who have worked at Our Place said Swanson is a great leader in a handful of different ways.

Swanson said she learned a lot from her predecessor at Our Place, sister Ann Pizelo of Sisters of the Holy Names.

“She taught me a lot about leadership;

She has a podcast called “Walking Home from the ICU” and has created such excitement in the medical community that she has been invited to be one of the keynote speakers at this year’s upcoming ICU Nursing Convention along with Dr. Anthony Faucci, chief medical adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden.

Peggy Currie

Chief executive of Providence Spokane hospitals Nominated by Annette Barfield and Keith Currie, spouse She has been effective leading Providence’s Sacred Heart Medical Center through very difficult times with calmness and grace. With four decadeslong service, she leads all Eastern Washington Providence hospitals, medical groups, clinics and 9,000 staff with compassion, clarity and a mission driven determination.

Anne Currier

Energy supervisor at SNAP Nominated by Pat Currier Anne helps hundreds of less fortunate Spokane residents with energy bills and related energy matters. She is also an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous where, as a sponsor, she has helped many people struggling with alcohol and drug abuse.

Marty Dickinson

STCU chief marketing officer and chair to WSU Board of Regents Nominated by Brett Blankenship Having honed her skills with

that leaders can be kind,” Swanson said.

“She, like myself, was not a micromanager.”

Ashley Bean, one of Swanson’s nieces who grew up volunteering at Our Place, said her aunt simply treats people right.

“As a member of her family I can say this – she treats them (Our Place clients and volunteers) like her family,” Bean said.

Heidi Lasher, an Our Place volunteer, said she thinks Swanson is a gifted leader. She shared a story about how Swanson helped Tim Dodds.

Dodds came to Our Place hoping to borrow a shovel so he could make money clearing snow. Swanson got him a shovel, and after making $40, Dodds returned to give it back. Swanson told him to keep it.

“She said, ‘Well, keep the shovel and keep working,’ ” Lasher said. “And he did.”

Dodds is now an Our Place volunteer.

Lasher said Swanson gives people chances.

“I think Tracie’s just created a culture where the clients are really trusted and given a lot of leeway to make decisions for themselves,” she said.

Our Place volunteer Michele Bennington agreed.

“She doesn’t place barriers on people,” Bennington said.

Lasher said Swanson’s leadership style stands out.

“I think that she’s one of those people that doesn’t lead in a traditionally masculine, hierarchical way,” Lasher said.

“She’s an understated leader, I think, and really makes room for people to shine.”

“I think she trusts people that, in their lives, haven’t been trusted as much. She finds a way to bring out the best in them and finds a way to help them be successful.”

Colin Tiernan can be reached at (509) 4595039 or at colint@spokesman.com.

prior interaction with the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Spokane Partnership, and the Public Facilities District – as well as having had an integral part in the establishment and support of the WSU-Spokane Health Sciences campus (as chair of the University District board); it would be difficult to find another person who has been so involved and successful at moving the peg forward for Spokane.

Rebecca Doughty

Executive director, School Support Services for Spokane Public Schools Nominated by Meredith Clarke Rebecca has led Spokane Public Schools through the COVID pandemic and continues to be a leader in community health.

She pioneered the on-site school testing program in 2020-21 and led countless vaccination clinics at school sites for the greater Spokane community. She created the SPS contact-tracing team, and made in-person learning possible and successful, in terms of keeping inschool transmission at a minimum, while providing up-to-date district data to the community.

Amanda Dugger

Community outreach coordinator, Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council Nominated by Christine Smith Amanda started her passion for helping those in recovery 16 years ago when she overcame her own drug misuse. In 2008, Amanda has

shared her story of recovery and loss at many high schools throughout Spokane and Spokane Valley.

She is also one of the facilitators for Spokane County DUI Victims Panel. Amanda shared the story of her daughter’s good friend, who was hit by a man driving under the influence. Through Amanda’s leadership, she and her daughter started an organization called Socks For People Without Homes in honor of the friend and to give back to those in need. Amanda had aided in collecting over 45,000 pair of socks.

Kiantha Duncan

President, Spokane NAACP Nominated by Sharma Shields She fights daily and lovingly for justice and collaborates with other organizations in town. She is a tireless warrior for the fair and good.

Katherine Fritchie

Owner of the Garland Theater Nominated by Steven Jones Katherine provides a movie-going experience for families at a very reasonable cost and has opened the venue for community events, like the Rogers Black Student Union, to show meaningful movies to help their causes.

Colleen Fuchs

Director, Joya (formerly Spokane Guilds School) Nominated by Ann Pirttima I have been so impressed with her

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First woman appointed U.S. Attorney in Eastern Washington is working hard to ensure she won’t be the last

THE FIRST OF MANY

V

By Kip Hill | The Spokesman-Review

anessa Waldref is quick to point out that although hers will be the first portrait of a woman to hang among the men who have led the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Washington, she had a lot of role models along the way.

“I’ve had mentors who were incredible, both men and women,” said Waldref from her office in the Thomas S. Foley U.S. Courthouse earlier this month, specifically mentioning Pamela DeRusha, the former civil chief of the office, and Stephanie Lister, who was nationally recognized for her work on child exploitation cases while in Eastern Washington. “But really being able to see myself as a leader has been through seeing someone who looks like me achieve amazing things in their roles.”

Waldref, 41, a Gonzaga Prep graduate and former United States assistant attorney in the office, was sworn in to lead it Oct. 7 after nomination and confirmation in the U.S. Senate. She took the oath with four former U.S. attorneys for the office, sister and former City Councilwoman Amber Waldref as well as the rest of her family and several members of the legal community, including former coworkers who are the workhorses of an office she’ll manage.

“For the first time in recent memory, the United States attorney, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, is both someone who grew up in this community and has deep roots in the community, and has served as an assistant U.S. attorney for years,” said Dave Herzog, one of 28 assistant United States attorneys in the office split between both Yakima and Spokane.

At her swearing-in, former U.S. Attorney Michael Ormsby said hiring good people was one of the important jobs of the office. He said when the office hired Waldref in 2013, they “knocked it out of the park.”

During those seven years, Waldref took charge of the office’s intern program. That included recruiting Gonzaga University School of Law student Emily Geddes, who just graduated in May and has taken a job at a local law firm.

“She really has created an environment around herself where she inspires you to learn and be better, and she encourages you to do that,” Geddes said. “But she gives you the tools to do that as well.”

That also will be the goal in leading the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Waldref said. Attorneys working there have

NOMINEES Continued from 9

calm and compassionate leadership in the midst of crisis and stress. She has a warm and positive way about her, so even in stressful times she has worked hard to keep an open, peaceful and positive workplace environment. She works tirelessly and has many balls in the air to juggle but doesn’t complain and is very dedicated to the school’s mission. Her primary focus is the children and their families, but she is also focused on her employee’s best interests.

Colleen Gardner

Neighborhood advocate Nominated by Cathy Gunderson Fierce advocate for neighborhoods, especially Chief Garry Park, where she has lived 25 years. She started by attending meetings, then represented CGP at Community Assembly and now is a co-chair of CGP, thinking of how to best connect with neighbors, with fun events and improvements at the top-most on her mind.

Michelle Girardot

Chief executive officer, Habitat for Humanity Spokane Nominated by Sheila Preston and Liz Schaeffer Throughout the challenges of COVID-19, Michelle has kept her organization on track, continuing to provide affordable housing for families of Spokane County.

Michelle has worked tirelessly and compassionately to improve the lives of many low-income Spokane residents and their families.

Natalia Guterriez

Founder of the nonprofit If You Could Save Just One Nominated by Richard Wallis, If Could Save Just One board member In 2019, she started the nonprofit If You Could Save Just One to support at-risk kids and families in the Hillyard neighborhood where she lives. So far in 2021, the activities and services Natalia has organized – from summer recreation programs and instructional classes to free haircuts and styling – have served more than 2,000 kids and families. What’s most impressive, however, is the care and attention Natalia gives to each child and teen, making sure they feel seen, heard and valued. Success in her eyes is knowing that the kids coming to programs, no matter what their circumstances, will find adults that listen, show them respect and treat them with dignity. She is a one-woman show, managing finances, fundraising, hiring and supervising instructors, creating policies, and more.

KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The new U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington, Vanessa Waldref, is photographed recently in front of her office building, the Thomas Foley Courthouse in Spokane. deep experience, specifically in the types of violent crime, illicit opioid and fraud cases that have continually cropped up in the region. Waldref also mentioned the importance of protecting federal lands, as well as enforcing clean water and air standards that were her priority during a year working in the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resource Division.

She’s been working with the Justice Department for the past year but did not have to move to the East Coast because of the remote policies employed by the federal government during the pandemic. Waldref still had to adapt to a new job, all while the pandemic began to take hold for her two children in sixth and second grade.

“Last spring was the most challenging time,” she said.

“Transitioning to a new job, home-schooling, or trying to teach from home – people who do home-schooling do a better job than I would do – I was just trying to keep everything afloat.”

Geddes took a class called Conflict of Law from Waldref and teacher Richard Barker on Zoom this spring.

Darci Hastings

Science teacher, Ferris High School Nominated by Wendy Smith She is a well-respected teacher and leader of the four-year Project Lead the Way Bio-Med program.

Darci helped inspire our oldest daughter to become a registered nurse. Our middle daughter earned a spot at the International Science & Engineering Fair with Darci’s guidance and our youngest daughter is pursuing biology at Eastern Washington University.

Stacey A. Higgins

Teacher, Spokane Public Schools Nominated by Elizabeth Budig In her 40th year of teaching special education with Spokane Public Schools, she is currently at Madison Elementary. She wraps each student into her embracing, nonjudgmental and learning environment to excel beyond their limits. She has mentored countless students from EWU’s Special Education program to become teachers themselves.

She coaches soccer after school for delayed students. Her family adopts a financially insecure family each Christmas and gives them an unimaginable holiday. She and her husband founded the nonprofit called You Only Live Once, a retreat for families with children who have Type 1 Diabetes, and it has been going for 20 years.

Karen Hudson

Chief executive officer, Mobius Discovery Center Nominated by Kelli Hawkins, Mobius outreach education coordinator Without her leadership, Spokane would not have a children’s museum and science center. Mobius on the Move STEAM workshops bring the hands-on experience to children throughout the region.

She has continued to grow Mobius’ scholarship program to eliminate financial barriers for children, families and other nonprofit programs to experience the hands-on learning.

During the pandemic, at-home learning was supplemented with Mobius’ STEAM kits delivered by mail or curbside, virtual school Curriculum Camp was set up to help struggling parents and virtual science lessons were easily accessed online. To Karen, it wasn’t just about Mobius. It was about a community in desperate need of interaction and a generation of kids who were not being introduced to science and technology, many of whom – without programs like Mobius – would miss out on that experience. Her decision to consolidate Mobius Kids and Mobius Science Center into one location called Mobius Discovery

Center allows Mobius to remain financially stable.

Kim Kelly

Chief executive officer and executive program director/director of Christ Kitchen Nominated by Nancy Jones Kim is an inspiring leader who nurtures and encourages women who are in poverty and empowers them to become self-sufficient through gaining jobs and life skills.

She works tirelessly toward this end.

Jennifer Kerns

Spokane police officer Nominated by Nadia Counter She led teams to basketball glory in the ’90s and early 2000s and found her calling with the Spokane Police Department. She has been acknowledged for rendering lifesaving services, and assisting in hostage, suicide and other stressful negotiation situations. She recently moved into a community relations position and is actively engaging the community. She hosted an animal farm at a nearby park and connected officers with the public during the summer’s PALS program.

Kylie Kingsbury

Homeless outreach coordinator, Spokane Regional Health District Nominated by Benjamin Price She has worked with shelters so they can understand how to best protect their populations. She organized, directed and worked at testing clinics for months. When the priority shifted to vaccinations, she did the same. Kylie sought out individuals who may have been missed or are hard to track down, because she believes everyone deserves the right to be offered a vaccine.

Lori Kinnear

Spokane City Council member Nominated by Susan King If you look at Lori’s accomplishments while serving the citizens of Spokane, you will see that underlying each issue there is compassion, common sense as well as common courtesy. These are invaluable characteristics, and are precious and rare during these turbulent times of a global pandemic and civil unrest. The world feels upside down and Lori’s voice is the voice of reason that helps calm the storm.

Amy Knapton Vega

Executive director, Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery Nominated by Christina Thomas She guides this not-for-profit organization skillfully and from the heart. She is as authentic and humble as they come. She has built

“It’s not maybe the most exciting field of law,” Geddes conceded. “But the two of them were really able to keep the class interesting, and keep the class engaged.”

In her public comments after being sworn in, Waldref acknowledged the “big shoes” she’d be filling by stepping into the office, but also noted it’s the first time those shoes would be filled by someone in high heels.

While meant as a lighthearted comment, Waldref said she takes the role of a potential role model seriously.

“What’s so important to me is that I now have the privilege to continue to strive for representative leadership in this legal community and the law enforcement community that reflects the population of the district we serve,” she said. “Representation is critical in terms of people seeing themselves as leaders and part of the law enforcement community, and that’s not just what other people do.”

Kip Hill can be reached at (509) 459-5429 or at kiph@ spokesman.com.

the center to its current size and success because of her vision.

Nancy Lee Koentopp

Nominated by Linda Kay Griffiths Involved with DayBridge, which helps and supports young men and women with special needs. She was told her son would never walk or talk or live past age 5 and recommended he be placed in an institution. There would be no institution for this little fella. A very inspiring woman, still seeking ways to help and stay connected with our special needs community.

Gretchen LaSalle

Family physician, MultiCare Rockwood Clinic Nominated by Kevin Maloney and Sean LaSalle She is a champion of compassion and conviction of care deeply rooted in the community and has worked tirelessly to educate the community on the importance of getting vaccinated during the COVID pandemic. Through various outlets, she addressed the misinformation and disinformation around the pandemic and vaccine effort. She volunteers countless hours in MultiCare’s COVID vaccine clinic, answering questions and administering vaccines to patients throughout the community. As a vaccine advocate, she has written the book “Let’s Talk Vaccines: A Clinician’s Guide to Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy and Saving Lives.”

Debbie Long

Central Valley School District school board president Nominated by Shelly Clark She has run the Central Valley craft fairs since 1994 and has made and donated thousands of brownies.

She makes quilts and donates them to veterans at Rockwood Retirement Center. With state COVID mandates, she has been called the most vile of names and citizens have personally attacked her. According to the Washington State School Directors’ Association, over 30 school board members have resigned due to these types of threats, but Debbie continues to stay the course because of her love for the students and community.

Cathryn Maland

Director, Compass Career Solutions Nominated by Trish Murray Provides programs and services through supported employment, person-centered planning, community inclusion, youth readiness and transitions for individuals with various support needs. She advocates for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities daily.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

U.S. representative for Washington’s 5th District Nominated by Bonnie Quinn Few people have the courage to share their story of having a child with Down syndrome and give testimony on behalf of the unborn child during on a federal bill to legalize abortion.

Diana McRae

Nominated by Patrick McRae Diana has pioneered in North Idaho the use of martial arts training (American Kenpo karate) to help children and adults with various disabilities achieve their life goals and improve their physical fitness.

Summer McWhorter

Single mother, Kellogg Nominated by Darrel Beehner She quietly sets the bar for not just single mothers, or working mothers, or mothers of specialneeds children, but all mothers and all women. I have never witnessed anyone who has had so many obstacles placed before them and certainly not anyone who has overcome so many challenges.

Shannon Meagher

Director of Housing Development, KeimleHagood Nominated by Ellen Flanigan She has worked tirelessly for over 20 years to create new rental units and improve existing units for those needing affordable housing in Spokane. Working with nonprofit entities, she brings to lift objectives and providing safe, affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities. Her employer Kiemle Hagood has provided support and encouragement to work her passion.

Liz Moore

Director of Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane Nominated by Paddy Inman Her sense of and commitment to social justice has shaped her into an essential and viable leader in the entire Spokane community.

Liz’s tireless, informed and reasoned nonviolent voice has become the conscience of Spokane citizens.

Julie Morris

Nominated by Jeff Morris Served as president of Spokane chapter of Hadassah, one of the largest charitable women’s organizations in the world that sponsors two hospitals in Jerusalem, Israel. Served on the national board for over 30 years and several years as national vice president. Current executive board member of Temple

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Shelly Wynecoop is the grant administrator for Spokane Arts. Here she stands in the Saranac Building in downtown Spokane on Oct. 22.

Wynecoop was the CEO of the Spokane Tribal College, and she served as co-chair of the Civic Affairs Committee.

ARTISTIC REFUGE Spokane Arts grant administrator helps creators obtain funding for projects

W

By Sydney Brown | The Spokesman-Review

hen Spokane Arts needed a grant administrator to help fund local art projects, executive director Melissa Huggins was told over and over again – hire Shelly Wynecoop.

“When Shelly applied for the job – and I didn’t know her personally before she applied – I can’t tell you how many people said you’d be absolutely crazy not to not to hire Shelly,” Huggins said.

Wynecoop has served as grant administrator since 2017. In her experience, Wynecoop said, art has helped her learn and make sense of her busy life.

“I really see art as an act of shifting perspective,” Wynecoop said.

“Education is a much broader kind of thing, not just sitting down and learning something in a classroom, you know, it’s exposure. And I am still a big believer in that.”

As grants administrator, Wynecoop oversees applications submitted by local creatives who want their projects funded. She works directly with those artists, often art students, to strengthen their proposals, she said.

Wynecoop has been directly involved in the success of several Spokane artists’ projects, said Karen Mobley, art contractor for Spokane Arts. One of Wynecoop’s strengths is her understanding of young artists

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Beth Shalom, Spokane County Superior Court Therapeutic Drug Court, vice president of Spokane Area Jewish Family Services and slated to become president in June 2022.

(Katherine) Dawn Mossoni

Nominated by spouse Norman Mossoni My wife is not a Phi Beta Kappa, doesn’t belong to any clubs, rarely volunteers for charity, but she is a wife of 50 years, mother of two and grandmother of four. Now, she is the day care for two grandkids here in Spokane, and has been since the day they were born. She has taken them to and from school, attends all school functions, plays, soccer games and other sports. She hates computers, but managed to help both kids through last year’s remote learning.

She has had both hips replaced, had cancer and is cancer-free, but rarely, if ever, speaks to anyone about her ills. I am still working, and lunch and dinner are always ready to go.

No, she is not a corporate guru, hates politics, but is the epitome of motherhood.

Candace Mumm

Outgoing Spokane City Council member Nominated by Amber Waldref, Dave Rumberger, Kathy Miotke, Susan Brudnicki, Steve Mumm and Sheila Collins

and students, Mobley said.

“For somebody in the community who has a professional job to treat an art student as a real peer and to make sure that they understood what they needed to do – that’s the kind of respect that a lot of people, when they’re starting out, don’t really get,” Mobley said.

Wynecoop said she remembers the frustration of having a grant application denied without getting any feedback as to why. Without support, young artists can easily feel discouraged, she said.

Until later in life, Wynecoop said she rarely considered herself an artist.

“It turned out that I’ve actually spent most of my life in the arts, but I just never identified that way,” Wynecoop said.

Wynecoop grew up on a ranch on the Spokane Indian Reservation.

For over 25 years, Candace has been active in neighborhood, city, state and national organizations and through her leadership, created a more livable, healthy and prosperous Spokane. Through her efforts, she has created better opportunities for women in government, stronger neighborhoods and a more financially stable city of Spokane for future generation.

Gloria Ochoa-Bruck

Lawyer who has served as judge for the Kalispel and Spokane tribes, senior director of Inclusion and Diversity for the Kalispel Tribal Economic Authority and as director of Local Government and Multi-Cultural Affairs for the city of Spokane Nominated by Julie Watts and Kimberly Middleton Gloria is a force for philanthropy and service in the Spokane community.

Sally Phillips

Community and cycling advocate Nominated by Susan Strong Sally is a lifelong bicycle and community advocate for alternative transportation, humble, quiet and a well-spoken individual. Hard worker and committee member of many organizations.

Bonnie Quinn Clausen

Nominated by Chastity Hittinger Goes above and beyond for her employees, members of our community and her friends and family.

After high school she left for Oberlin College in Ohio to study physics and clarinet. Not far into her undergraduate studies, Wynecoop was drawn to anthropology and linguistics. She got involved in cognitive science research at Stanford University and then pursued her graduate studies in linguistics and studio arts at the University of Chicago.

“The arts have always acted as kind of a refuge for me,” Wynecoop said.

“I was involved in more academic or scientific pursuits, so when I needed to kind of regroup and loosen up a little bit, I would find myself back in the arts again.”

Wynecoop traveled and worked across the United States and internationally, but found herself back in Spokane in 2006 when her daughter was about a year old. They had been living in Ireland at the time with her child’s father, but the relationship didn’t work out.

“My choice at the time was either to go back to New York as a single mom and never see my kid because you’d have to put her in day care or stay home,” Wynecoop said. “Looking back it was absolutely the right choice to come home.”

When she returned to Spokane, Wynecoop soon became the chief executive officer of the Spokane Tribal College. She said she explored the intersection between culture

Edie Rice-Sauer

Executive director of local service provider Transitions Nominated by Deborah Brooks Edie broadens the visibility of homeless women and children in Spokane. She has been a force in broadening the visibility of homeless women and children in Spokane.

Her constant presence in time with city departments, elected officials, local universities, advisory groups, boards and other nonprofits has strengthened Spokane’s ability to work toward opportunity, equity and justice as a reality for all of our citizens. She directs six programs: Women’s Hearth, Transitional Living Center, EduCare, Miryam’s House, New Leaf, Home Yard Cottages), and she helps women and children struggling with poverty and homelessness.

Lisa Rosier

Executive director of Southside Community Center Nominated by Karen Merritt Lisa kept the center operating during COVID and applied for grants to get new lighting, flooring and upgrades, and a new van is being constructed for the center’s needs, paid by a grant. It took a lot of work to get all these grants; she is a work horse.

Molly Schemmel

Math tutor Nominated by Alexandra D. Lee A dedicated math tutor, she stepped up to support students who had their in-person academics interrupted by COVID. Kids spend

and education there, herself being a descendant of the Spokane Tribe. She often found herself learning along with her students, Wynecoop said.

“I was working directly with my family and hopefully offering that same opportunity for them to reach out and experience the world in different ways,” Wynecoop said.

“I won’t say it was easy. That was difficult. And there were a lot of goals that I did not feel like I met, but it was an amazing education for me about a lot of very complex and deep things.”

Wynecoop became an involved and “well-respected person in the community,” Huggins said.

Working with students and artists through the grant program at Spokane Arts has been immensely rewarding, Wynecoop said.

“I love this program. I think it’s doing great things for the community,” Wynecoop said. “It’s actually really unusual for a city the size of Spokane that’s inland to have something like this that supports the arts the way that this does. It’s a real privilege, it is an honest-to-God privilege, to be able to create something that at least tries to avoid all those frustrations I had coming from their perspective.”

Sydney Brown can be reached at sydneyb@spokesman.com.

time in her backyard with a whiteboard and graph paper or via Zoom while she does more than teach them math, she builds confidence and teaches them things that will serve them well in life.

Joyce Sedler

Nurse Nominated by Michael Sedler, spouse Not a CEO, nor runs a nonprofit, she is like many women who have been faithful in serving, helping, leading and guiding others in life.

She has worked as a nurse in clinical settings, home health and 20 years as a school nurse for Spokane Public Schools and left a legacy. Her greatest attribute is willingness to help others without recognition or fanfare. She volunteers feeding the homeless, sits in hospital rooms with the sick and dying, sends cards to those who were downcast, helps others overcome challenge, counsels hundreds who are discouraged and depressed, mentors women, listens to women abused or neglected and spent thousands of hours donating her time in the evenings and weekends when people needed guidance and support for their marriage, families or personal life.

Brooke Shelman Wagner

Exhibitions manager and registrar, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture Nominated by Jake Schaefer, Spokane Civic Theatre creative director Brooke is an exceptional artist.

While loading in “Dressing the Abbey” (exhibit), I was struck by how impactful Brooke’s eye for detail and sophistication is. Where Brooke’s job is to manage exhibitions, she offers so much more while shaping how most MAC exhibits feel and flow.

Pamela Silverstein

Obstetrics and gynecology physician Nominated by Mary Noble Pam has delivered thousands of babies and provided womancentered care for 35 years. She is involved in environmental causes, justice and human rights. Pam is involved with environmental causes, justice and human rights.

She is personally involved with coming up with solutions and doing the hard work needed to get things done.

Eva Silverstone

Spokane Public Library spokeswoman Nominated by Marilyn Fleenor She is a dedicated, creative, artistic, and well-spoken advocate for libraries and the arts in our area.

Susan Slagle McConnell Walker

Spokane Police Department volunteer Nominated by Terry Young Susan was instrumental in developing Spokane’s Law Enforcement Museum, while volunteering since 2003. She brings

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T12 • Sunday • November 7, 2021

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‘ANGEL OF MERCY’

I

CHAS Health worker Ilze Zarins-Ilgen has built trust with Spokane’s homeless population for more than 14 years

By Garrett Cabeza | The Spokesman-Review

lze Zarins-Ilgen is the “Angel of Mercy” to the homeless of Spokane.

At least according to Patty Severud, a friend of Zarins-Ilgen.

Severud nominated Zarins-Ilgen for The Spokesman-Review’s Inland Northwest Women of the Year, which honors women from Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

Zarins-Ilgen, 70, has helped the homeless as a street outreach community health worker the last 14 years for CHAS’s Denny Murphy Clinic in downtown Spokane. She works to ensure the health and well-being of people who live on the streets, alongside river banks and under the bridges of Spokane.

That’s often more than providing food, water and clothing. Zarins-Ilgen said she also tries to address homeless people’s emotional health. That means making them feel validated, building trust and allowing them to vent their anger.

She said people who are homeless

are often overlooked but they deserve dignity and respect.

“How can I help you today?” is a question she often asks. “What’s the best thing I can do to help you?”

In her nomination letter, Severud said Zarins-Ilgen’s knowledge of the plight of the homeless is unmatched.

“She honors this ‘unknown population’ by calling them by name, and she knows them all,” the letter said.

Zarins-Ilgen described helping the homeless as “futile some days and mostly rewarding others.”

“I love doing it because I love humanity,” she said.

Severud said that Zarins-Ilgen has a car full of snacks for both animals and people, some dry clothing and sometimes blankets and eyeglasses.

“You can always count on a warm hug and a concerned conversation from Ilze … she truly cares,” the letter said.

Severud met Zarins-Ilgen 10 years ago when the two were assisting Spokane’s homeless community.

“I didn’t work with her,” Severud said.

“I wish I did. Oh, the things I could have learned. Yeah, she’s incredible.”

Severud worked at the Coalition of Responsible Disabled, a social service organization formerly near Kendall Yards in West Central Spokane.

Severud said homeless people often set up camp near the coalition office, so she would interact with Zarins-Ilgen when she came by to offer assistance to those at the camp.

She said she saw Zarins-Ilgen deescalate arguments between Kendall Yards homeowners and homeless people.

There were a lot of problems between the two groups when Kendall Yards was being developed, Severud said.

Severud recalled one time when Zarins-Ilgen took aside a homeowner who was arguing with a homeless person. She said even though the homeless person was supposedly in the wrong, Zarins-Ilgen calmed the homeowner down and he later apologized to coalition staff.

“She’s really good at that,” Severud said.

She said Zarins-Ilgen is a good listener and has a nonthreatening demeanor.

Severud said another time Severud and others were trying to move a homeless man’s camp from near the coalition’s office.

She said the man was mentally ill and was getting very upset, so Zarins-Ilgen came by and asked the man to get a beer with her so the others could continue moving the man’s belongings away from the site.

“She just knows what to do,” Severud said.

Garrett Cabeza can be reached at (509) 459-5135 or by email at garrettc@ spokesman.com.

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Ilze Zarins-Ilgen, center, is a fierce advocate for the homeless through community outreach at the CHAS Denny Murphy Clinic. She finds the missing, clothes the needy, gets medical help for the sick, has a car full of snacks for animals and people, and always has a warm hug and conversation.

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such appreciation to the Spokane police force.

Kim Stankovich

Owner, InKARE Nominated by Andrea Griechen A clinical supervisor at an inpatient drug treatment center for teens ages 13-18, Kim puts a lot of time, thought and heart into her job.

She goes the extra mile. Residents respond well to her honesty and insight.

Katherine Tuttle

Nephrologist Nominated by Val Eliassen and Kenneth H.Z. Isaacs World-renowned for research and practice in kidney disorders, she has lectured for better understanding of the treatment of kidney disease impacting medical care and science at local, regional and national levels.

She is executive director for Research at Providence Health Care and has led National Institute of Health programs. She provides leadership in the UW Institute of Translational Health Services, the Diabetic Kidney Task Force and numerous initiatives that impact people across the world.

She brings both the analytics of science and compassionate care to her many-dimensioned professional life. From bedside to lab bench.

Ashley Ulmer

Dentist Nominated by Kathrine Olson Not only is Dr. Ulmer an excellent dentist providing compassionate care to her patients, she is one of the founders and a volunteer of the IDEA (Inland Dental Expanded Access) clinic, which helps those who have limited funds or access to dental care

in our community. She is president of the Washington State Dental Association, and previously served as the president of the Spokane District Dental Society from 2019-20.

Sarah Valladao Newman

Colville School Board member Nominated by Amber Semenza, Tracey Delyea, Craig Newman Spends hours with friends, encouraging them in activities, cooks beautiful meals and even cleans out the high school band room after her son already graduated. She works for the greater good as a Northeast Washington school board member in Colville, volunteers in classrooms, assists with field trips, ski patroller, teaches Outdoor Emergency Care, leads snowshoeing tours for women’s groups and snow safety to area youth. She serves as coordinator for Northeast Washington Forest Coalition, nonprofit sustaining public lands and natural resources to the area.

Lynnette Vehrs

President of the Washington State Nurses Association Nominated by Hannah Vehrs Harris She advocates to legislators in Olympia for nurses through some of the toughest times in their profession. It is rare that the WSNA president comes from the East Side of the state. She has also been working for over a year to bring universal health care to everyone in Washington.

Valerie Wahl

Collections curator, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture Nominated by Wesley Jessup, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture executive director Valerie has spent her career telling the story of our region through the

objects of the MAC’s collection.

Her passion for her job and for our local history has had an important impact on our community. Working with our collection and donors of art and historical objects, Val has cultivated and built our museum’s collection into the largest and most significant collection in the Inland Northwest. In addition to Val’s professional contributions to making our community better, and helping future generations appreciate our past, she’s involved in environmental conservation, including the Spokane chapter of 350.org, dedicated to decreasing fossil fuel use.

Amber Waldref

Consulting business owner and Spokane Housing Authority Board member Nominated by Lindsey Shaw and Kathy Finley She is making things happen in northeast Spokane that so many have tried with little success. She is trying to de-silo organizations to better accomplish many mission statements.

She is a graduate of Georgetown University with a master’s degree in environment and community from Antioch University in Seattle.

Has deep experience in community engagement and collaboration.

She serves on Spokane Housing Authority Board, Spokane County Human Rights Task Force and Hanford Advisory Board.

Betsy Wilkerson

Spokane City Council member Nominated by Diana McIntire Through community positions she thrives to inform, educate and challenge us to be our better selves.

Sandy Williams

Editor, The Black Lens Nominated by Paddy Inman

Her tireless work, boundless energy, creative, professional, informative journalism and dedication to promoting and educating the Spokane community about the past and present invaluable contributions of Black citizens to the growth and quality of Spokane is immeasurable.

Erin Williams Hueter

Inland Northwest director, Lutheran Community Services Northwest Nominated by Kendel Froese Along with wearing numerous other hats, Erin is a compassionate and dedicated advocate for sexual assault survivors, and is a truly caring supervisor and supporter for her team.

Chris Wolf

President, Spokane Civic Theatre Board of Directors Nominated by Jake Schaefer, Spokane Civic Theatre creative director She has served on the Civic’s board since 2017 and since stepping into the president role, has expanded the organization’s operational capacity beyond measure. Being a VP at First Interstate Bank, her business acumen blended with passion and dedication to diversification has steered Civic to its lighter, tighter position.

Dawn Wolski

General and artistic director, Inland Northwest Opera Nominated by James Lowe, Spokane Symphony music director She demonstrates an incredible energy and commitment to bringing great music and worldclass soloists to Spokane. She is a notable soloist herself with an international career.

Nadine Woodward

Spokane mayor Nominated by Bonnie Quinn, Earl Moore and Jennifer Hicks Nadine listens to all sides, values diversity and tries to produce winwin outcomes when differences arise. She is willing to use her influence to step out of her comfort zone to make a difference, because she loves Spokane. She intentionally sought nonpartisan politics to become a voice for all citizens as a source for solutions.

Carol Wysham

Doctor specializing in endocrinology Nominated by Douglas Wysham and Heidi J. Peterson She has dedicated her professional life to optimizing the quality of diabetes care in the Spokane region through devoted practice, academic research, teaching, and promotion of scientific collaboration. She works at Rockwood Clinic educating on diabetes prevention and care and is clinical professor of medicine at the University of Washington, treating patients as well as conducting clinical research and resident education for more than 30 years. She is the current president of the Endocrine Society, a professional international medical organization with more than 18,000 members in over 120 countries.

JoAnn Zajicek

Director, Union Gospel Mission’s Women and Children’s Center in Coeur d’Alene Nominated by Donna Kendall A member of the UGM executive board, JoAnn supports Spokane’s homeless at Anna Ogden Hall and the Crisis Shelter. She creates a safe, homey and edifying environment for women fighting their way out of crisis situations.

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November 7, 2021 • Sunday • T13

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This Women of the Year award goes to all of the hardworking frontline nurses who have been relentlessly treating patients with coronavirus for more than 18 months. The Spokesman-Review interviewed three nurses who work in intensive care units in the Inland Northwest for this story.

T

FROM HOPE TO BURNOUT

By Arielle Dreher | The Spokesman-Review

he year began with hope, a vaccine had finally arrived after a year of incredible loss and death. With a light at the end of a tunnel, 2021 had potential and promise to be different.

Health care workers had access to a vaccine that eased anxiety, especially for frontline nurses, and helped contain cases and prevent deaths among the most vulnerable.

A brief spring surge gave way to a mostly improved summer. Vaccines were widespread, people could ditch the masks. Then delta hit – an undeniable blow to health care workers, particularly those in intensive care units throughout the country and particularly in the Inland Northwest.

To be an ICU nurse requires a deep knowledge of advanced life-saving treatments and machines, from dialysis to ventilators. Keeping patients who are at their worst physical state alive is no easy feat, but it’s a challenge that many nurses have taken on and enjoy as a part of their role in the ICU. “What can we do to help get you better and get you moving and better, so you can get to where you want to go?”

Christi Tolman, ICU nurse at Deaconess Hospital says of her role with patients.

The ICU is the last place most people want to be, and nurses understand that. Their day-to-day work shifts are once-in-a-lifetime nightmares for most patients and families.

“You know even if you can’t change the outcome always, you can be a supportive, kind, caring and compassionate person,” said Sonja Massie, an ICU nurse at Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Crystal Cronoble hadn’t been in the Kootenai Health critical care unit for long before the pandemic hit. She graduated with her nursing degree from Washington State University in 2019 and started in the critical care unit that summer.

There are rewarding experiences every nurse has, from patient success stories to the bonds built with coworkers. Cronoble told the story of a very sick patient who got better in the ICU and recently reached out to her and a colleague.

“I want to thank you two in person for saving my life,” the patient told Cronoble and her coworker. And while she thinks the doctors also contributed to helping this very sick patient recover, the recognition is meaningful.

‘Salt in an open wound’

The year 2021 went from the best it had been in a while to the worst of the pandemic this region has ever seen.

North Idaho entered crisis standards of care, stretching nurses beyond their typical caseload. Kootenai Health opened an alternate care site for the overwhelming number of COVID patients.

As Cronoble describes it, “2020 was difficult and surprising, but this (delta surge) felt like we hadn’t fully recovered, and we put salt in an open wound.”

Thousands of elective procedures and surgeries, for things as serious as cancer, were delayed months as younger patients, those who had not been vaccinated, filled hospitals, sick with the delta variant in late summer and early fall.

The pandemic has made life in the ICU much more challenging for nurses.

Patients typically can be visited by family members, who can hold their hand, comfort them and understand the true condition of their loved one. But the pandemic took that away, except for virtual video call visits.

This leaves a lot of communication to nurses, which has grown increasingly hostile with some families as the pandemic has raged on.

“I understand that people never want to accept that (their) loved one is going to die and I get that and have compassion for them because obviously that’s very understandable,” Massie said. “But sometimes they are questioning of what we’re doing, requesting us to do things not supported by medical evidence.”

The trust in health care workers has deteriorated as the pandemic continues on.

“I feel like it’s shocking,” Cronoble said. “Nursing, it’s been known for a while, was the most trusted profession for years and years and now we’re definitely not.”

The delta surge meant younger and younger people were hospitalized with the virus. Previously, many COVID

patients were older, but this fall nurses were seeing patients who could be their peers, very close in age.

“When they’re 40 to 60 years old, it is some of our age group, and I think that’s what hits home,” Tolman said.

“This is not just a vulnerable population virus; this is not selective in that way.”

And now as fall fades into winter, with many health care workers burned out and leaving their jobs, those who stay are feeling the strain of what has been a different kind of difficult year.

Combating burnout

The nursing shortage and burnout existed long before the pandemic became a part of ICU nurses’ daily routine.

Massie, who has been a nurse for 22 years, was working on a research project for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses with a few coworkers, about improving the quality of care by reducing burnout, when the pandemic hit.

“How can we do more to be aware of and focus on burnout? That’s a really hard question, and there’s really not a great answer to it,” Massie said. “This job is hard. It’s tough and by its nature alone is traumatizing, just at baseline it is.”

And while she doesn’t have the answers, Massie said it needs to be evaluated as the pandemic has continued to add to the burnout, with nurses retiring early or moving on to other nursing roles not at bedside.

Tolman agrees.

“There is no magic wand or magic bullet that’s going to fix staffing or fix the pandemic,” Tolman said.

Instead she said taking the time to show up for her coworkers or giving someone just 10 minutes to step away is vital.

“I find it’s those small, simple things that as they add up will make a great impact on what we do,” she said.

Being an ICU nurse comes with a fair amount of trauma and stress normally, but the pandemic added even more on top of already demanding positions.

“I have always been an Energizer bunny, so I’ve never felt like I’ve needed to recluse and recover until now,” Cronoble said.

Typically she would keep busy on her days off, but now she feels like she has to intentionally slow down and rest.

Cronoble recently got back into her morning weight-lifting routine, which can mean an early morning alarm clock on days when she’s picking up extra shifts. Working out is a way for her to care about her own body, which in turn helps her release stress.

Tolman got through tough days calling her dad after her shifts. He inspired her to get into nursing originally, and his inclination that his daughter had a knack for the profession turned out to be correct. Tolman has been a nurse for nearly 25 years.

Her father died this year (not from COVID-19), which has been extra difficult for the veteran ICU nurse. She now calls her sister after tough shifts; they have taken on that role for one another.

“I need that outlet so I don’t walk in the door with it,” Tolman said.

Typically Massie would unwind playing piano, going on hikes or spending time with her kids and husband. The pandemic led to an increasing amount of anxiety, however, to the point where it felt like she almost had post-traumatic stress disorder even after she left the hospital. She decided to get help.

Now she sees a counselor every other week to talk about her work stress and work on managing her anxiety levels.

Therapy has helped, and Massie wanted to share her experiences with the hope of encouraging other health care workers who need it to do the same.

“As health care workers, we always think that we’re the healers. We’re tough and think that we’re not supposed to need help,” Massie said. “...But I have seen the toll in myself and in my coworkers as we’ve gone through this pandemic.”

KATHY PLONKA/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Kootenai Health ICU nurse Crystal Cronoble

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Deaconess ICU nurse Christi Tolman

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Providence Sacred Heart ICU nurse Sonja Massie

‘One day at a time’

For those nurses who have stayed in ICU units. The future is taken in day by day. On top of COVID cases, hospitals are working through thousands of backlogged procedures, including some that might require a hospital stay afterward.

“It feels like you’re on a roller coaster and you can’t get off, and I’m like, ‘I’m sick now and need to get off,’ but I can’t, and it adds to that numb feeling,” Cronoble said.

The pandemic has made the small things matter more, caring for coworkers both on and off the clock. A glass of wine on a same day off. Watching over another nurse’s patients so they can take a much-needed break and step away.

Teamwork sustains the teams on the frontlines.

At the Deaconess ICU, Tolman said it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference, especially after a rough day on

the floor or after losing a patient. Sometimes it’s teamwork or something small that reminds her why she became a nurse in the first place.

“I think one of the big things we can learn is giving grace to each other: nobody’s perfect,” Tolman said. “We’re all going through different things at different stages in our lives.”

Massie calls COVID the “comeback king” and as a result is taking things day by day for now. Cronoble agrees – taking each shift as it comes is what’s working for the moment.

“If there was some sort of magic solution, we’d all be doing it, but the truth is we’re just in an extremely challenging time,” Massie said. “And I think you can just go one day at a time and do the best you can.”

Arielle Dreher can be reached at (509) 4595467 or at arielled@spokesman.com.

T14 • Sunday • November 7, 2021

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FOR THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY GU nursing professor’s contributions extend far past Spokane

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By Laurel Demkovich | The Spokesman-Review

usan Boysen fell into nursing education by accident.

After working as a nurse practitioner in Spokane, she needed to change jobs but could not find any full-time nurse practitioner jobs. She took a job teaching at Washington State University, eventually moving over to Gonzaga University.

Now, after 30 years of teaching at Gonzaga, her contributions to the nursing education community extend far past Spokane.

“She really truly is a remarkable nurse and a remarkable nurse educator,” Gonzaga nursing professor Jane Tiedt said. Tiedt has worked with Boysen during her master’s program at Gonzaga and now as her colleague in teaching.

Boysen has spent her career researching, writing textbooks, traveling the area and the world to educate others on community health and prevention. She helped develop curriculum for Gonzaga’s nursing program. She served on the Spokane Regional Board of Health. She’s consulted numerous organizations in the area on their community health needs.

After she started teaching, Boysen, who grew up in Spokane, knew that teaching was what she wanted to do.

Her passion is community health nursing, which focuses on the health of a group or community rather than the individual. Community health nurses may work with an entire school district or within transitional housing or with the local health district.

Some students, she said, don’t ever see themselves working in community health nursing but rather focus on nursing in hospitals.

“It’s the farthest thing they would end up doing,” Boysen said.

But then in Boysen’s classes, they learn how to engage with communities in different ways and how much of a difference they can make. Then, “the light bulb goes on.”

“I love it when that happens,” she said.

Over her career, Boysen has educated thousands of nurses in Spokane and the Pacific Northwest, Tiedt said.

She was instrumental in developing Gonzaga’s nursing program, Tiedt said, adding Boysen is amazing with curriculum and helping teachers develop their courses.

Boysen is quick to recognize all her colleagues at Gonzaga for helping to create such a good program.

But she’s not easy on her students, Tiedt said. She’s tough, but that’s what pushes them to grow. To Tiedt, Boysen has always been a mentor to her. When she was writing her master’s thesis, Tiedt said she would always go to Boysen with questions.

DAN PELLE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Susan Boysen was a nurse practitioner and educator at Gonzaga University.

She had been a nursing professor at Gonzaga for 30 years.

Boysen was everybody’s “go-to person” for questions, Tiedt said.

“She just knew the research inside and out,” Tiedt said.

“She was just a whizz at it.”

Boysen’s husband, Dick, said he’s had her students as his own nurses. They always tell him how much they appreciated her teaching, Dick Boysen said.

“They’ll say, ‘Of all my professors at Gonzaga University, Susan was by far the best,’ ” he said.

She’s beloved all over the university, he said.

Boysen often coordinated the community health clinics for Gonzaga students. She would find organizations in the community that would need a partner in health promotion.

Dick Boysen said she was instrumental in developing relationships with local organizations in the area and placing students there to help with their community health needs.

Dick Boysen used to be the executive director at Joya Child and Family Development. He and Susan Boysen met when she had placed some students to help out at Joya and did some pro bono community health work.

Tiedt pointed to Boysen’s work with the homeless population in Spokane, offering weekly clinics, foot care and wound care, with her students. Boysen often donates free supplies to the clinic, bringing in toiletries or handmade mittens or socks.

During every meeting, Boysen is knitting, Tiedt said.

Then, right before Christmas, she opens her office and sells everything she’s made throughout the year. The

money she makes goes to fund her project in the West African nation of Benin, which provides water filtration and education to local communities.

“She’s very humble but has the biggest heart,” Tiedt said.

She worked in Benin and Zambia for a number of years, leading a study abroad program and helping to teach the local population about water health issues and health promotion.

She learned how to be creative in her teachings, as most people who lived there only spoke French. She often used skits, posters and drawings. Teaching isn’t always standing in front of a classroom talking to people, she said.

“It really just reinforced to me the importance of community health and prevention,” Boysen said.

Boysen officially retired from Gonzaga in May. She said she plans to spend more time caring for her parents, who are both in their 90s. She and her husband also hope to take a few road trips across the country. She’s also excited to continue knitting and crafting. She is currently teaching herself to weave.

Even though she retired, however, she still helps supervise one clinical once a week. She knows the department is always looking for more supervisors for those clinical experiences, and she knows she could help.

“And I just like doing it,” she said.

Laurel Demkovich can be reached at (509) 416-6260 or at laureld@spokesman.com.

CALLED TO TEACH More than 40 years after opening Pioneer School, founder still loves being in the classroom

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By Stephanie Hammett | The Spokesman-Review

ith 42 years at Pioneer School behind her, founding director Betty Burley-Wolf feels her calling to education even more strongly than the day she started. And, while she has recently stepped down from her roles on various local committees including the Schweitzer Alpine Racing School board of directors and the Spokane County Health Department School Advisory Committee, when it comes to Pioneer, she has no plans to retire.

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

With 42 years at Pioneer School behind her, founding director Betty Burley-Wolf feels her calling to education even more strongly than the day she started.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in education and psychology from Whitman and a master’s in teaching for gifted education from Whitworth, Burley-Wolf began her career in Idaho Public Schools. But when her first principal told her to stop teaching her kindergartners how to read she quickly found herself in search of other options.

“There were kids in my kindergarten class who could already read – I was teaching them more, giving them harder books and dictionaries and the comment from the principal was, ‘Well, what will the first-grade teacher do?’ ” And Burley-Wolf thought, “Well, I don’t care what the first-grade teacher does – I’m going to teach them what they’re ready to learn.”

“Betty … sees the big picture,” second-grade teacher and Pioneer graduate Jordana Schneidmiller said. “She has been covering the same – or similar – topics for (more than) 40 years so she has a lot to

offer. She will bring in resources and share how she did an activity, then allow us to put our own spin on it if it’s something we want to use.”

So, with the goal of eventually opening a school where she could do just that, Burley-Wolf left the public school system for the Horizon School, a small private school nearby. And a little over a year later, with a bit more knowledge of private school-running under her belt, she was ready to make her next move.

The philosophy behind Pioneer School, Burley-Wolf explained, is that kids, especially gifted ones, need to move at their own pace.

“There are three things with highly capable students,” she said.

“They are very unique, so you can’t just put them in a group. They are amazingly intense, and that kind of puts some people off, but they have See BURLEY-WOLF, 15

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November 7, 2021 • Sunday • T15

INLAND NORTHWEST WOMEN OF THE YEAR

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Philanthropist and educator Elsa Distelhorst retired after 25 years at Whitworth University and is active in community efforts for racial justice.

‘INTOXICATING, INCREDIBLE ENERGY’

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Longtime Center for Justice member educates on race, equality

By Amber D. Dodd | Community Journalism Fund

t is the early 1990s.

Elsa Distelhorst and company are preparing for Japan Week, a celebration of Japanese culture through dance, food and other events.

Administrators don’t think one of the young Japanese American students looks Japanese. Distelhorst echoes a chuckle from one of the other Japanese women, but the student is offended.

“She got really bristly with me, so I asked, ‘Whoa, what did I do wrong? How can I fix it?’ ” Distelhorst recalled. “She took a deep breath and said ‘Elsa, because you asked, “What did I do wrong? And how can I fix it?” I’ll talk to you about it.’ This was such a big lesson to me, that you have to care about what harm you’ve done, no matter the intention.”

For her time dedicated to communities of color, centering their narratives and doing the decadeslong work to dismantle discriminatory systems, Distelhorst is a recipient of the Woman of the Year 2021 Award.

Distelhorst’s work started early.

Her family was involved in activism before her arrival on Sept.

5, 1943, in Boston, Massachusetts.

With family roots in the Boston area since 1635, Distelhorst’s earliest memories are of her grandfather, Vincent Vintont Getchell, the leading preacher at Roxbury Memorial Church. Due to World War II, she, her mother and additional family lived with her grandparents until she was 5.

“The church congregation was half black, half white, because of the neighborhood we lived in,” she said. “He started the first program to tutor all children after school and integrated the first Sunday school in Boston. Why? He said they were no longer going to be white children or Black children, just children.”

With the leading patriarch committed to enriching the community, Distelhorst’s family often spent her

BURLEY-WOLF Continued from 14

this intensity about them, this ferociousness of ‘I want to learn.’

But, “I think a key part that a lot of people with bright kids miss is that they’re asynchronous, and by that I mean … you can get a first-grader reading at the sixth-grade level who can’t tie his shoes or cut with scissors because their little bodies haven’t caught up with their mind.”

The important thing, she said, is that you have to keep challenging their minds.

A kid can be bright, but that doesn’t mean he’ll remember to clean up his

pot roast and hamburger casserole dinners talking politics, race relations and community engagement.

“I remember, in my family, community was a responsibility we all had,” she said. “That’s what I come from.”

Upon her father’s return from the Navy, her immediate family moved to the Boston suburbs, where her neighbors were Black, Czech and Italian. Her neighbor, who spoke ‘not a stitch of English,’ opened her eyes to the experience immigrants faced. With her town predominately identifying as Jewish, her mother fought against antisemitism.

“With everything going on, my mother and grandpa were both very grounded in the fact that we were Judeo-Christians,” Distelhorst said.

“We aren’t just Christians, and that was always very important to them.”

Distelhorst left Boston in 1966, still rooted in advocacy. She graduated from Wheelock College with a bachelor’s degree in education.

“My mother said I have the responsibility to give back because the only reason I was even able to go (to college) was because those who had gone before are now giving back,” Distelhorst said. “You always have a responsibility to give to education.”

Distelhorst became a first-grade teacher at Horace Mann High School in Newton, Massachusetts, where she taught Irish, Catholic and Jewish children. She then made the move to Hawaii to teach children in Kamehameha Schools in a head start program in fall 1967. “(While) teaching at these

lunch or she’ll have neat handwriting.

“It’s a matter of being aware, meeting their educational needs while remembering they’re still in a little body.”

While the Pioneer program somewhat resembles Montessori, Burley-Wolf primarily took inspiration from a trip to England during her studies at Whitman.

“I went to visit the British primary schools, and I was just so impressed with how much their children were learning,” she said, mentioning the more project-based, hands-on learning style.

“I just fell in love … I said, ‘I want to do that when I get back home.’ ” And with the generous financial support of her late father, Emmett Burley, she did exactly that.

Hawaiian schools, the point was to give these children their indigenous identities back because the islands had stripped them,” she said. “Me being just the nice white Christian lady, I was not teaching, so we had Yana teachers come in for an hour or two every day. I’d sit back and had these fully immersed experiences while these kids learned how to read (in their native languages) Hawaiian music and (folk) legends.”

These experiences of assimilation and cultural preservation stuck after Distelhorst moved to Spokane with her husband and newborn son in the 1980s.

She served as the parent resource and support coordinator for Dr. Hrair Garabedian Pediatrics & Associates for five years. Distelhorst then slipped back into education at Whitworth University where, for 25 years, she led advocacy events like community relations and fundraising to uplift diversity, equity and inclusion around campus and in Spokane.

Outside of Whitworth’s initiatives, she was an avid volunteer for March of Dimes, was a founding member of the Japan Week and Churches Against Racism in 1998.

Her decadeslong advocacy has always been rooted in what she labels “intercultural communications” while looking to promote healing from trauma and oppression.

“I shifted from an integrated system to intercultural work, really,” Distelhorst said. “As a white ally, still understanding oppression, the culture of repression, the seriousness of oppression, I center the need for trauma healing.”

Distelhorst served on the board of directors of the Center for Justice for several years. In that position, she worked closely with Rick Eichstaedt, the executive director, who called Distelhorst an “amazing, supportive directing chair.”

“Elsa had great ideas as far as fundraising; she’s incredibly dedicated to issues of social justice,” he said. “She was really interested in the center and continued to focus

on issues like police accountability and addressing the basics of environmental and social justice law firms,” he said. “She brought this intoxicating, incredible energy that was so goal-oriented and pushed us to do more work.”

Eichstaedt recalled Distelhorst being incredibly active, working on the ground for programs that directly impacted Spokane’s vulnerable communities.

Distelhorst retired in 2009, and her work shifted to philanthropy.

She has supported scholarships, such as the Hawaii Aloha Endowed Scholarship, and donated work for the Spokane Riverkeeper, Story Theatre Spokane and Spokane Public Radio.

“We were a run-of-the-mill, middle class family until my aunt died,” she said. “She had no kids and she left me her estate. So that’s how I’m able to do philanthropy. I told my husband I want more art, traveling, but I want to do tithing. My family always gave to churches and causes in the city.”

Now as a member of the Rockwood Retirement Community, Elsa looks to keep inspiring the younger generations to continue the work.

“Now, with my granddaughter, I’m teaching her about philanthropy,” she said. “We have to keep passing down that this work is important, especially those in power to change things who need it.”

Amber D. Dodd, who can be reached at amberd@spokesman.com, is the Carl Maxey Racial and Social Inequity reporter for Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Her reporting primarily appears in both The Spokesman-Review and The Black Lens newspaper, and is funded in part by the Michael Conley Charitable Fund, the SmithBarbieri Progressive Fund, the Innovia Foundation and other local donors from across our community.

This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information, please contact our newspaper’s managing editor.

Pioneer opened its doors with 13 students in 1980. Today, the school serves 70, several of whom are children of alumni.

The curriculum is “thematic,” integrated and topic-focused, switching between scientific and historical or social topics on a bi-monthly basis. Students work together in the classroom, older students often partnering with younger students to help teach and review concepts themselves. The students also enjoy regular field trips, or as they say at Pioneer, “learning expeditions.” And during the winter, the students learn how to ski on weekly trips to Schweitzer and Mount Spokane.

“Betty is the hardest working woman

I know,” said fourth-, fifth- and sixthgrade teacher Nicole Bronson, in her 16th year at the school. “Her vision for Pioneer and care for our students is inspirational. She gifts her teachers a huge amount of creativity, and it is amazing to have that freedom and trust.”

“I don’t feel like she’s ever going to retire … she loves the classroom,” Burley-Wolf ’s husband, Gary Wolf, said.

“She’s been an educator for 40 years and in that time she’s made an impact on the community in a very positive fashion.

I’m so proud of her.”

Stephanie Hammett can be reached at (509) 459-5013 or at stephanieh@ spokesman.com.

T16 • Sunday • November 7, 2021

Special Section

You’re an inspiration to us all The 2021 Inland Northwest Women of the Year are making a difference in our neighborhood.

Helping the local economy thrive is just one of the many positive attributes you bring to our area. Extending your abilities and resources to the community through service and other initiatives makes you a true leader.

Visit us at bankofamerica.com/women.

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