Candidate for
Council Member; City of South San Francisco; 4 Year Term

I grew up in Pacifica, spending a great deal of time in South City with my grandmother, Hazel Nastrini, who owned and operated South San Francisco Employment Agency and was, at one time, the President of the Chamber of Commerce.

My first job was here in South San Francisco in our industrial park and I have had more jobs in SSF than anywhere else. I worked, as a receptionist, at Dakin, in the location now known as 1 DNA Way, back when Genentech was a start-up. I met the founders of Genentech during that period and ironically, my first job in construction was at Genentech.

While serving in the Army, at 6th Army Headquarters, at the Presidio of San Francisco, I met and married a fellow soldier. We moved to Germany shortly afterwards. I have been to all 48 continental US states and 22 countries, having lived in 3 countries and 4 US states. I worked as an MP on active duty for part of this time and as a civilian government NAF employee for much of the rest of this time. My extensive contact with and immersion in other cultures allows me to take an emic perspective in many situations. I can see the points of view of others more easily than most.

I moved back to the area, from Ft Rucker, AL, when I was getting divorced. I became a graveyard shift waitress, here in town, to facilitate being home with my son, during the day, as if I were a stay at home mother. It was exhausting, but worth the effort.

I've worked as an executive assistant, administrative assistant, apprentice carpenter, construction safety coordinator, and a corporate safety director among other civilian positions.

In the military, I have been Military Police patrol and desk sergeant, NCOIC (Non-commissioned officer in charge)of a pistol team, NCOIC of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Activities, an Assistant Instructor at MP School, member(second in charge)of an Emergency Response Team assisting dust-off (MEDEVAC operations)in a hostile fire zone, and have taught combatives (also known as hand-to-hand combat)to tankers during train-up for deployment. I was injured during my last deployment and was medically discharged.

I have since returned to school. I am currently a senior at San Francisco State University majoring in Business Management. I am on track to graduate with a BS in August of next year and receive my MBA with an emphasis in sustainability in December of 2015. I am currently in a finance course and have looked into taking a public budget management course when I am elected to council.

I am married to Joe Nelson, who is a graduate of El Camino High. We live in Sunshine Gardens, just 24 houses from his mother, who still lives in the house where he grew up. We have 6 children total, when you consider his two children from a previous marriage, my son from a previous marriage, my adopted daughter, and our two young boys.

My adopted daughter, Gina Gonzalez, was an at-risk youth, from here in South City, whose biological mother has substance abuse issues. I became her guardian when she was 16. She is now 31 and married to Alvaro Gonzalez. They live on the Peninsula and I am so very proud to call her my daughter. Our path has been a rocky one, but the payoff at the end of the rocky road has been smooth sailing. I have never known a daughter who more appreciates loving parents than she.

My eldest biological son, Alexander Osborne, who is now 23, lives out of state with his beautiful wife, Vanessa.

John is my ten year old son. He does not know his biological father. Joe is raising him as his own. For those that are aware of my conflict with the alleged pro-life activist on Grand Ave, he is the child to whom I referred as my choice. My political stand is adamantly pro-choice. My choice was life.

Frankie is our littlest and last of the children. He is now four years old. He is as rambunctious as he is cute. He is our biggest challenge and quite a joy.

We are expecting a grandchild shortly.