Note: Title IX is a federal civil rights law passed in 1972. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
How did you get involved with The Freshwater Trust?
I went to the early Oregon Trout auctions and my daughter worked with the organization for a semester. It has been interesting to watch the transition from saving fish to protecting water and, now, to including people in this mission as well. The Freshwater Trust has always had a broad vision that’s impressive. It would be nice if all sectors could have this breadth.
What has been challenging and rewarding about serving on The Freshwater Trust’s board?
I was not initially clear about all of the work done by TFT and it took me a bit of time to get up to speed. It’s an interesting combination of big picture vision and expertise in a number of areas. There are scientists doing specific work and many people who have to be on the ground. It requires precision and patience.
Where I try to help most as a board member is through raising awareness. Whether that’s getting Joe a big speaking engagement or bringing winemakers together to have Joe talk more casually about TFT. I want to expand understanding of and support for this important work.
What are some other philanthropic issues you’re interested in?
There’s just so much need now for everything, including the creative arts. I think they are often the first to disappear and can be overlooked and underrated. It seems that if you give people a way to communicate, having that voice can help them cope with aspects of their lives that they may be struggling with.
What advice would you give to a younger person looking to serve on a board?
Choose organizations that you can passionately support in every way. If that passion isn’t there, find a different area where you do feel that. Board work takes study and commitment. Without that passionate feeling, it’s hard to commit to the work to become a productive board member.
What’s your favorite part about living in Oregon?
Every day, I think how lucky we are to live here. I learned to ski on a landfill in Detroit. To be within two hours of mountains or the ocean and having everything be so green is incredible.
How do you connect to rivers?
Mostly, I watch them and read about them. I’ve spent a fair amount of time on the North and South Umpqua, often reading. I’m excited about an upcoming trip down the Salmon River.
How do you feel about the way that women are treated today?
I’m glad to see the national debate now and hope it has traction. Mostly, I’ve never seen these topics as “women’s issues,” but rather, more broadly, as issues of fairness and justice for everyone who is suppressed and oppressed.
How does A to Z address issues of access and equity?
Oh, a lot of ways. We pay everyone in our company more than the average living wage and provide volunteer time off. We pay for education and 100% of health care benefit premiums.
We’ve sent a number of people to work in New Zealand – one of whom had never been on a plane and another who had never been out of Oregon. Women make up half of our company and our management. We’re always striving to do better and our B Corp certification measures that we do just that.
