Candidate for
Member, Green Party County Council; County of Contra Costa

I attended the U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Social Work and received my Masters there. Like many social workers, I became interested in social causes. I joined The Women's Peace Group and eventually became president. This was in the 70s during the heyday of marches and protests. I was very active in the Peace and Freedom Party and learned about the strengths and problems of organizations.

Our family became foster parents for two gifted students from Africa; one from Nigeria and one from Ghana.

As a School Social Worker in the Richmond Schools, I experienced a very diverse population.

For the last 30 years, I was a school psychologist in the Acalanes School District in Lafayette ‑‑ a very different experience than Richmond.

During this same time, I continued working for peace and social causes. Our family joined the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church. Again, another organization that is active in Civil Rights and the anti-Vietnam war movement. Our family became involved in the Port Chicago Vigil. Later I was recruited for Conflict Resolution Panels. The training was very helpful for many facets of my work.

After retiring, I continued to work in the Acalanes School District's Adult Outreach Program. I work in 3 senior care facilities, where I teach current events and guide discussions on reminiscence and travel. It is certainly different than working with teenagers.

I was one of the founding members of the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center.

Presently I am in the Not in Our Town, a national organization to fight racism and hate crimes, and the Middle East Study Group, which focuses on Israel-Palestine.

I am a founding member of the Diablo Greens.

And now I am running for a seat on the County Council because I believe my experience has taught me to work effectively in organizations that share my values. My vision for the Green Party is one of growth, so that we can be a powerful Party in the United States.