Brief bio
After graduating with a Natural Resource Management, Economics, and Policy degree from the University of Michigan, I bicycled through Vermont and New Hampshire. The beauty and sense of community I experienced here drew me to make Vermont my home.
I am a strong, independent woman, and raised two strong independent daughters and granddaughters. I have been a mason tender, an organic vegetable farmer, a draft horsewoman, my nurse union president, and a registered nurse in Vermont for 36 years. Driven toward justice, I have often placed my body on the line to fight for health care and other human rights. As a front-line nurse and legislator during the pandemic, I was moved into action by the experiences Vermonters shared with us. A constituent once shared her and her wife’s support for me, saying that when they see my lawn sign in someone’s yard, they know they would be safe there.
I initiated successful healthcare policy changes even before becoming a legislator. In my 6 years as a Representative, I have introduced and passed bills strengthening water quality, a bill for municipal network geothermal, a bill banning the trans panic defense, and 2 bills giving Vermont the power to hold Pharmacy Benefit managers – the “middle-men” driving up the cost of pharmaceuticals and putting Vermont independent pharmacies out of business – accountable. My experience as a working nurse has been invaluable to healthcare-related policy-making in the legislature.
Community and enjoying my life in Vermont are priorities. I love traveling with my family, riding my bicycle, kayaking, fishing, hunting, and exploring the wilderness. And a good laugh with friends.
Why are you running for office?
Sen. Paul Wellstone’s quote “We all do better when we all do better” guides me every day. Including my early childhood, my life experiences have taught me that our power to fix even the biggest problems is much stronger when we work collectively. I believe good democratic governance is responsive and accountable to the people, and our collective strength, compassion, and wisdom are the most important qualities that will allow us to meet the significant challenges we face with equitable solutions.
I had experiences as a kid where adults showing up for me changed the trajectory of my life. And public education is where most of that support happened. I want to make sure that our education system is there for our kids when they need it.
I see first-hand how the successes and failures of our healthcare system play out in patient and family’s lives, and in the frustrations and dedication of the amazing medical colleagues I work with. I bring these stories with me and am energized to make good change.
I am running because of the work we’ve done to date, I know that, working together, there is a clear path forward to address healthcare, education, housing, climate justice, and opiate addiction — and I/we are not done yet.
Occupation
Registered Nurse