So given your extensive experiences in libraries, especially public,
 2
00:00:03.870 --> 00:00:06.406 we were wondering, how does the public perception
 3
00:00:06.406 --> 00:00:09.876 of librarians differ from what library workers might actually do
 4
00:00:09.876 --> 00:00:13.146 during their day, week, or like experience in public libraries?
 5
00:00:13.146 --> 00:00:15.015 Jenny, this is one of my favorite questions
 6
00:00:15.015 --> 00:00:17.050 actually, because I think it is changing.
 7
00:00:17.050 --> 00:00:20.987 Folks often think a couple things that were gatekeepers of information
 8
00:00:20.987 --> 00:00:23.123 because historically our stacks have been closed.
 9
00:00:23.123 --> 00:00:26.359 And so we were sort of like that human intercessory between it.
 10
00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:28.695 We haven't been for a very long time.
 11
00:00:28.695 --> 00:00:32.132 But I think that culturally, we're still kind of trying to recognize that you and I
 12
00:00:32.265 --> 00:00:36.302 and you, we're thought partners, we're friends, we're on this together
 13
00:00:36.302 --> 00:00:39.572 to help you wayfind, not to hold information back.
 14
00:00:39.572 --> 00:00:42.008 And so I think that work is still being culturally done.
 15
00:00:42.008 --> 00:00:44.978 I think, additionally, librarianship
 16
00:00:45.445 --> 00:00:48.815 is increasingly covering social gaps
 17
00:00:49.015 --> 00:00:53.353 that our system of governance is not fully taking shape of.
 18
00:00:53.353 --> 00:00:54.988 So I think about Narcan training.
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00:00:54.988 --> 00:00:56.523 I think about trauma informed training.
 20
00:00:56.523 --> 00:01:00.160 I think about learning how to drive like an RV or a bookmobile in order to
 21
00:01:00.293 --> 00:01:03.496 limit the barriers that transportation and economics
 22
00:01:03.496 --> 00:01:05.365 creates for members of our community. And so
 23
00:01:05.365 --> 00:01:09.469 the intersectionality of librarianship, I think, is really underrated.
 24
00:01:09.469 --> 00:01:11.304 And it's coming into prominence more and more.
 25
00:01:11.304 --> 00:01:15.308 And what's so great about librarianship is that whatever experience and expertise
 26
00:01:15.308 --> 00:01:19.712 you bring to it, librarianship covers so many needs that that intersectionality
 27
00:01:19.712 --> 00:01:20.914 will fit just perfectly.
 28
00:01:20.914 --> 00:01:23.917 Which is why I think sometimes we hear librarians called heroes now
 29
00:01:24.117 --> 00:01:27.654 and library workers called pillars of our institution because we recognize that
 30
00:01:28.221 --> 00:01:30.690 we have said for decades that libraries are like
 31
00:01:30.690 --> 00:01:34.494 a foundational stone of democracy, but really the beating hearts
 32
00:01:34.661 --> 00:01:37.630 of those institutions are a pillar of democracy.
 33
00:01:37.630 --> 00:01:39.499 And the more that we represent the communities
 34
00:01:39.499 --> 00:01:43.870 we serve in terms of diversity, the better we're going to be equipped to do that.
 

Every day is different because I support the many ways our library connects with the community. I work alongside outreach, bookmobile, circulation, and marketing teams to expand access to library services and remove barriers for the people we serve. Some days I'm helping develop community partnerships, advocating for intellectual freedom, or supporting staff as they bring new ideas to life.

Community & Access Services Coordinator

Librarians are just gatekeepers of information.

Negativity

Misconceptions About Librarians

I don't come from academia.
 2
00:00:01.601 --> 00:00:04.371 So I have this I'm a little bit of an odd bird
 3
00:00:04.371 --> 00:00:08.208 in that I wasn't a faculty member, and then I didn't kind of rise
 4
00:00:08.208 --> 00:00:11.211 through the institution, or I didn't grow up in the institution.
 5
00:00:11.878 --> 00:00:14.414 Which is most often the story that you hear
 6
00:00:14.414 --> 00:00:17.550 of a college president or a college leader.
 7
00:00:17.951 --> 00:00:21.721 And I think for me, it hadn't occurred to me to be very self-conscious
 8
00:00:21.721 --> 00:00:22.188 about that.
 9
00:00:22.188 --> 00:00:24.958 But then it was like pointed out to me, right?
 10
00:00:24.958 --> 00:00:29.958 It was, folks, I think said like that I lacked qualifications because I hadn't
 11
00:00:30.463 --> 00:00:34.434 come up through this particular pedigree or this particular pathway.
 12
00:00:34.434 --> 00:00:38.004 So I think that's sometimes a challenge that, that reoccurs.
 13
00:00:38.004 --> 00:00:39.939 Right. Like folks kind of question that.
 14
00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:44.939 And my perspective on it is if we really understood what it took to run a college,
 15
00:00:45.311 --> 00:00:48.314 the primary qualification probably shouldn't be
 16
00:00:48.415 --> 00:00:53.386 had you done something in deep expertise at one moment in time in your life
 17
00:00:53.386 --> 00:00:57.090 and studied it, but, you know, do you have experience operationally?
 18
00:00:57.090 --> 00:00:58.491 Do you understand policy?
 19
00:00:58.491 --> 00:00:58.992 Do you understand
 20
00:00:58.992 --> 00:01:02.529 all the things that are required to run and manage an organization?
 21
00:01:02.529 --> 00:01:03.263 And I think
 22
00:01:03.263 --> 00:01:07.033 we often don't think about that role or the college presidency role that way.
 23
00:01:07.033 --> 00:01:10.770 But it's such a critical and important part of of how a college runs
 24
00:01:10.770 --> 00:01:14.441 and how college needs to run in this moment in time in particular.
 25
00:01:14.441 --> 00:01:17.911 And then I think I don't necessarily just view
 26
00:01:18.545 --> 00:01:21.748 like, sure, it is challenging, but there's always,
 27
00:01:22.348 --> 00:01:25.452 you know, each day is like that next opportunity to do better.
 28
00:01:25.718 --> 00:01:28.354 People often ask me like, well, when is it done?
 29
00:01:28.354 --> 00:01:30.123 And you're like, well, that's the point, right?
 30
00:01:30.123 --> 00:01:31.291 It's, it's not done.
 31
00:01:31.291 --> 00:01:33.193 We constantly need to be evolving
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00:01:33.193 --> 00:01:37.097 and refreshing and making sure that we're helping the thing get better.
 33
00:01:37.097 --> 00:01:40.400 We're helping folks realize the outcomes that they're trying to reach.
 34
00:01:41.301 --> 00:01:45.305 We should never be kind of satisfied with where we are at any given moment.
 35
00:01:45.305 --> 00:01:47.774 We should keep working at it. So.
 36
00:01:47.774 --> 00:01:49.042 So even if it's challenging,
 37
00:01:49.042 --> 00:01:52.879 I think the things that come easy or not often the most important things.
 38
00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:55.181 Right? The most important things are hard fought.
 39
00:01:55.181 --> 00:01:58.985 The most important things are things that you have worked through and accomplish.
 

President & CEO

You don't have the qualifications required to be a college president.

Doubt

Overcoming Challenges As A College President

There's a lot of stigma surrounding mental health.
 2
00:00:02.969 --> 00:00:06.006 And I was just wondering, how do you, like, get around that obstacle?
 3
00:00:06.006 --> 00:00:08.341 Yeah, stigma with mental health is such a big thing,
 4
00:00:08.341 --> 00:00:12.012 you know, and I always say we sometimes forget these are illnesses
 5
00:00:12.012 --> 00:00:15.382 that are just as real as other physical illnesses.
 6
00:00:15.448 --> 00:00:15.882 Right?
 7
00:00:15.882 --> 00:00:20.882 So if I had diabetes or I had a sprained ankle, an injury,
 8
00:00:21.121 --> 00:00:24.424 for example, I wouldn't think twice about going to get it checked out.
 9
00:00:24.457 --> 00:00:27.160 But when it comes to mental health, we don't we don't do that right.
 10
00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:29.963 We tend to be quieter or more secretive about it.
 11
00:00:29.963 --> 00:00:32.065 And I think that is because of stigma.
 12
00:00:32.065 --> 00:00:36.102 So, you know, one of the ways we combat stigma is by speaking openly,
 13
00:00:36.102 --> 00:00:40.006 and I think particularly people who are in the public eye, influencers
 14
00:00:40.006 --> 00:00:43.109 and celebrities when they speak publicly,
 15
00:00:43.109 --> 00:00:46.312 I've had this challenge and I'm in treatment for it.
 16
00:00:46.646 --> 00:00:49.649 It changes the game because suddenly you look to this person
 17
00:00:49.649 --> 00:00:53.987 and you think, this person looks like they have everything, and yet they too
 18
00:00:54.020 --> 00:00:57.824 have this illness that's very real, very much like other illnesses.
 19
00:00:57.957 --> 00:00:59.692 And there's nothing to be ashamed of.
 

I would've and should've pursued psychology to begin with but didn't even realize that was a career until later on because I was the first in my family to go to college. All I knew were the big, traditional careers—doctor, lawyer, etc.

My days are a mix of strategy, advocacy, and education. Because I'm a trained psychologist, I do a lot of work with our content experts. I work with our team to guide programs, speak with media, write thought pieces, and collaborate with experts to expand resources for people affected by eating disorders. As CEO of a national nonprofit, I also focus on fundraising, partnerships, and finding creative ways to reach more people with information and support.

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. Formed in 2001, the organization serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care while providing life-saving resources, a national helpline, and educational programs to reach the millions of people affected by eating disorders in the United States.

As CEO, you lead the organization's strategic direction, advocacy efforts, and educational initiatives to improve early recognition and treatment access. Your role involves collaborating with content experts to guide programs, engaging with media to raise awareness, and spearheading fundraising and partnership development to expand the nonprofit's reach and support systems.

Non-Profit Organizations, Healthcare, Mental Health Services, Advocacy, Philanthropy

Addressing The Mental Health Stigma

What would you say to the people and naysayers
 2
00:00:04.270 --> 00:00:08.408 who would go about telling people, especially like young people
 3
00:00:08.408 --> 00:00:13.346 who have a passion for art or poetry, that their passion isn't a career?
 4
00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:14.948 I don't know where that comes from.
 5
00:00:14.948 --> 00:00:17.317 I think it comes from this notion of like,
 6
00:00:17.317 --> 00:00:21.087 I want my work to be seen at this big museum.
 7
00:00:21.087 --> 00:00:23.957 And of course, everything has issues. Every industry has that.
 8
00:00:23.957 --> 00:00:26.960 But I think now with social media, now
 9
00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:30.597 with access, I think that what people are looking is for voice.
 10
00:00:30.597 --> 00:00:31.831 Yes, your art form.
 11
00:00:31.831 --> 00:00:33.833 Yes, your all of that. But what is the voice?
 12
00:00:33.833 --> 00:00:35.101 What is the story that you're telling?
 13
00:00:35.101 --> 00:00:38.104 Why are people picking up or gravitating towards you?
 14
00:00:38.104 --> 00:00:40.673 I think for me, I may not be the best poet.
 15
00:00:40.673 --> 00:00:44.778 I may not be the most eloquent writer, I may not be that, but I do have voice.
 16
00:00:45.045 --> 00:00:48.982 And I think that is the distinction that sets me apart, that I do represent
 17
00:00:49.315 --> 00:00:52.552 a community, and that I do represent it from a different perspective,
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00:00:52.685 --> 00:00:56.523 and one that is not explaining, one that is not pleading, one
 19
00:00:56.523 --> 00:00:58.925 that is not waiting idly for change.
 20
00:00:58.925 --> 00:01:02.862 No, I am representing a voice that showcase undocumented people with dignity,
 21
00:01:03.063 --> 00:01:07.133 with values, that we are not bending backwards for anybody.
 22
00:01:07.133 --> 00:01:10.470 And so that is a distinction in my voice and that people gravitate to.
 23
00:01:10.470 --> 00:01:14.474 And so there is I feel like it is art is a viable way.
 24
00:01:14.474 --> 00:01:16.242 There is you can build a career,
 25
00:01:16.242 --> 00:01:20.013 you can build a business structure where you thrive into it, thrive by it.
 26
00:01:20.313 --> 00:01:22.115 But I think the biggest thing is voice.
 27
00:01:22.115 --> 00:01:25.351 I think now you're teetering into why you're doing it.
 28
00:01:25.351 --> 00:01:27.554 What is your purpose in the artwork?
 29
00:01:27.554 --> 00:01:32.325 And so yes, I think for me, I would say you can build a career as an artist.
 30
00:01:32.325 --> 00:01:34.627 There, it is a viable form to make a living.
 31
00:01:34.627 --> 00:01:38.064 There is something very powerful about being an artist.
 

I didn't realize how much being undocumented would affect me until I was a teen. All of my peers were getting jobs and driver's licenses, and I couldn't. That struggle prompted me to start writing in order process and comment on my lived experience.

I spend my days writing poems, curating events, and supporting fellow artists through workshops and mentorship. Whether I’m writing, performing, speaking at a conference, or helping someone shape their voice, everything I do centers on storytelling that uplifts and empowers the communities I come from.

Poet Laureate

The County of Santa Clara is a major public service body in California that governs the heart of Silicon Valley, providing essential community services, public safety, and cultural programs to over 1.9 million residents. Through initiatives like the Library District and the Board of Supervisors, the county supports the arts and literature to enrich the local community.

As Poet Laureate, you serve as an honorary ambassador and resource for poetry and the literary arts across the county for a two-year term. Key responsibilities include curating public programs, teaching workshops to uplift underrepresented voices, conducting presentations at local events, and promoting literacy and self-expression through storytelling and mentorship.

Government, Public Service, Arts and Culture, Literature, Community Outreach, Education

Oh, you're a poet? That's cute but what do you actually do for work?

Individuality

Art Can Be A Career

What was like your biggest hurdles to like,
 2
00:00:04.104 --> 00:00:07.107 do the things that you're doing out here?
 3
00:00:08.608 --> 00:00:10.710 Self-hate, right.
 4
00:00:10.710 --> 00:00:13.713 Like self-hate plagues our community.
 5
00:00:14.014 --> 00:00:16.182 And so
 6
00:00:16.182 --> 00:00:19.152 you have to meet the self-hate with great love.
 7
00:00:19.552 --> 00:00:22.589 And so one of the things is that it takes time for people
 8
00:00:22.589 --> 00:00:24.791 to get over their own self-hate.
 9
00:00:24.791 --> 00:00:29.129 But if they see you being consistent and they understand that you believe
 10
00:00:29.129 --> 00:00:32.899 in your vision, in the course of time, you start to win them over
 11
00:00:33.133 --> 00:00:36.136 and they start to grow into a different understanding.
 12
00:00:36.469 --> 00:00:40.240 You know, I think that everything is politics, right?
 13
00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:42.909 And even in our community, that's true.
 14
00:00:42.909 --> 00:00:44.911 Everything is political.
 15
00:00:44.911 --> 00:00:47.881 You know, folks have different agendas, have different alignment.
 16
00:00:47.881 --> 00:00:51.918 But what I found is that if you do not make it about any of that
 17
00:00:51.918 --> 00:00:53.720 and just make it about the work,
 18
00:00:53.720 --> 00:00:57.057 you're going to have longevity and great success, right?
 19
00:00:57.057 --> 00:00:59.459 Because it's not about who's doing what.
 20
00:00:59.459 --> 00:01:02.028 It's about what you're trying to set out to do.
 

I served 33 years in prison, most of which for a crime I did not commit. I pursued education and learned the law so that I could move forward and fight for others who were also mistreated.

We, as Black and brown men, weren't given the same access to resources inside prison as our white counterparts—from hygiene products to jobs and out-of-cell time. I helped build a movement of Black and brown men in prison to demand better conditions.

As a community liaison and paralegal, I work on legislative initiatives, gather racial data, and advocate for prison oversight. My days are packed with meetings, legal research, and building pathways to justice for people both inside and outside the system. Through my own nonprofit, AccessMA, I organize community drives that bring healing and support to the neighborhoods we grew up in.

Founder

AccessMA is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating, promoting, and sustaining racial equity through community-led initiatives. The organization focuses on addressing racial inequities in underserved BIPOC communities and supporting reentry efforts for returning citizens to assist their families and neighborhoods.

As a Founder, you lead the mission to address racial inequity and empower communities throughout Massachusetts by creating strategic platforms for healing and support. Your role involves serving as a community liaison and paralegal to advocate for prison oversight, conducting legal research, and organizing community drives that build pathways to justice.

Non-Profit Organizations, Law, Social Justice, Community Development, Racial Equity

Overcoming Self-Hate

It's acknowledgment
 2
00:00:02.135 --> 00:00:04.304 that conflict is not inherently good or bad.
 3
00:00:04.304 --> 00:00:05.238 It just is.
 4
00:00:05.238 --> 00:00:08.742 And we all experience it in every relationship we have,
 5
00:00:08.742 --> 00:00:12.746 in sibling, in parent, in roommate, in friend, in partner.
 6
00:00:12.879 --> 00:00:14.914 You know, across the board, in colleagues.
 7
00:00:14.914 --> 00:00:18.018 We will experience conflict, whether it is
 8
00:00:18.018 --> 00:00:21.154 good conflict, meaning productive conflict
 9
00:00:21.254 --> 00:00:25.792 or whether it is destructive conflict is all a matter of our skills.
 10
00:00:25.792 --> 00:00:30.792 And so there are a lot of organizations at the grassroots level in civics
 11
00:00:31.731 --> 00:00:36.636 and in nonprofit spheres, where they are trying to provide people
 12
00:00:36.703 --> 00:00:39.706 the basic skills and then forums to practice,
 13
00:00:39.839 --> 00:00:42.942 because we need to practice these skills in order to retain
 14
00:00:43.443 --> 00:00:45.378 and maintain and improve.
 15
00:00:45.378 --> 00:00:47.280 But it's it's curiosity.
 16
00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:52.185 It's the ability of expressing your opinion in a way that invites
 17
00:00:52.185 --> 00:00:55.188 engagement from the other side rather than shutting down.
 18
00:00:55.488 --> 00:00:59.459 It's maintaining someone else's dignity while challenging
 19
00:01:00.360 --> 00:01:03.229 their policy position or their statement.
 20
00:01:03.229 --> 00:01:06.066 But you're basing that challenge on facts,
 21
00:01:06.066 --> 00:01:10.370 on outcomes, on metrics, and not personal attacks.
 22
00:01:10.837 --> 00:01:13.940 But I think in part, we as a culture
 23
00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:18.511 identify broadly ourselves as our political party.
 24
00:01:18.945 --> 00:01:20.847 And that didn't used to be the case.
 25
00:01:20.847 --> 00:01:24.317 That is one of 5000 identities that I, as a woman, have.
 26
00:01:24.684 --> 00:01:25.218 Right.
 27
00:01:25.218 --> 00:01:29.956 And it's not in my top 20, but because so many people identify themselves
 28
00:01:30.290 --> 00:01:35.128 with their ideology first, then it creates this huge barrier.
 29
00:01:35.128 --> 00:01:37.597 If you're not with me, you're against me.
 30
00:01:37.597 --> 00:01:41.801 Well, no, no, it's not a zero sum game like that.
 31
00:01:41.801 --> 00:01:46.801 So in terms of how to have a better disagreement, it's de-personalizing it.
 32
00:01:47.073 --> 00:01:52.073 It's holding opinions loosely while engaging with the other side,
 33
00:01:53.913 --> 00:01:57.484 inviting conversation, seeking understanding.
 34
00:01:57.484 --> 00:02:00.820 If you want someone to hear you out, you start with five questions.
 35
00:02:00.987 --> 00:02:04.757 I genuinely want to understand your experience, your perspective.
 36
00:02:04.858 --> 00:02:06.459 What led to these beliefs?
 37
00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:11.459 What experiences in your life have led you to feel so strongly about this issue?
 38
00:02:12.198 --> 00:02:15.401 You know what don't I know that you want me to know?
 39
00:02:16.069 --> 00:02:20.273 And then nine out of ten times he's going to say to me at the end of that,
 40
00:02:20.273 --> 00:02:23.276 because he will have felt heard, he will have felt seen.
 41
00:02:23.510 --> 00:02:26.513 He's going to ask me, well, what about you?
 42
00:02:26.613 --> 00:02:29.215 If nothing more than that, it's going to be a little tiny
 43
00:02:29.215 --> 00:02:32.152 bit of an open door that I can then share something.
 44
00:02:32.152 --> 00:02:36.222 But more than anything, dialog and conflict is about understanding.
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00:02:36.689 --> 00:02:38.858 It isn't about finding common ground.
 46
00:02:38.858 --> 00:02:42.295 That's a couple steps down the road, but it's about understanding
 47
00:02:42.295 --> 00:02:44.931 someone else's life experience and perspective.
 

For a role like mine, I'd recommend pursuing an education emphasis in mediation, conflict analysis and resolution, or nonprofit management and leadership.

My days consist of planning, fundraising, stakeholder engagement meetings, media review, and budgeting. I also lead the recruitment of ambassadors to be featured in our content. If I'm lucky, I get to walk the dog or hike, and have dinner with the family.

Executive Director

Disagree Better is a non-partisan, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing political polarization and fostering a culture of civility across America. Originally launched in 2023 as an initiative by the National Governors Association, the organization partners with leaders, influencers, and community groups to model healthy conflict resolution and bridge partisan divides. Through creative campaigns, service projects, and educational resources, it empowers citizens to find common ground and work together to solve the nation's most pressing challenges.

As Executive Director, you lead the strategic direction and operations of an organization that champions healthy conflict as a vital pathway to better policy. Your role involves overseeing day-to-day planning, spearheading fundraising efforts, and conducting high-level stakeholder engagement meetings to build powerful partnerships. You are responsible for media review, budget management, and setting an example for public officials at every level to follow, ensuring the organization’s mission to replace bickering with productive dialogue is successfully implemented across the country.

Non-Profit Organizations, Politics, Public Policy, Conflict Resolution, Community Engagement, Leadership and Operations

Conflict And Dialogue Are About Understanding

What inspired you to want to create the Dignity Index?
 2
00:00:03.803 --> 00:00:05.839 And then, how has that,
 3
00:00:06.773 --> 00:00:08.842 just grown over the years?
 4
00:00:08.842 --> 00:00:13.613 So one of the things that led me to this work
 5
00:00:13.613 --> 00:00:18.084 with the Dignity Index in particular, was my time on the state school board.
 6
00:00:18.451 --> 00:00:20.754 2010 was when I was appointed.
 7
00:00:20.754 --> 00:00:24.624 And all of a sudden things started to be super controversial.
 8
00:00:24.691 --> 00:00:26.593 State standards.
 9
00:00:26.593 --> 00:00:29.295 Common core standards went from,
 10
00:00:29.295 --> 00:00:32.832 hey, this would be cool if we all kind of had this benchmark across the country.
 11
00:00:33.066 --> 00:00:34.901 And then it went from that to
 12
00:00:34.901 --> 00:00:37.904 this is the most evil thing that's ever happened to public education.
 13
00:00:38.338 --> 00:00:42.776 And then from that point on, it was it was that and then the next iteration
 14
00:00:42.776 --> 00:00:46.379 and the next iteration of everything that we started to do in education
 15
00:00:46.746 --> 00:00:49.883 seemed to be such a hot
 16
00:00:49.916 --> 00:00:52.919 topic and became so controversial.
 17
00:00:52.986 --> 00:00:55.855 So it seemed like we were always doing battle.
 18
00:00:55.855 --> 00:00:58.658 It's like, how did this happen to us?
 19
00:00:58.658 --> 00:01:01.661 And I moved from there to the governor's office.
 20
00:01:02.028 --> 00:01:06.366 And for the last seven years in his term, I watched more of this happen
 21
00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:11.604 to where it's like we're just going to do mental health in schools.
 22
00:01:11.604 --> 00:01:14.874 Let's get some more counselors so that kids know their career pathways.
 23
00:01:14.874 --> 00:01:19.045 But also if kids are experiencing some mental health difficulties,
 24
00:01:19.145 --> 00:01:20.580 we have resources.
 25
00:01:20.580 --> 00:01:24.884 That turned into something that a huge swath of the population
 26
00:01:24.884 --> 00:01:25.852 thought was horrible.
 27
00:01:25.852 --> 00:01:30.852 And it got really frustrating for me as I'm trying to have conversations about
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00:01:31.024 --> 00:01:35.061 the facts and about the actual policy and not the politics around the policy.
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00:01:35.361 --> 00:01:40.361 And the last year that my governor of his term, Governor Herbert, was in 2020.
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00:01:41.534 --> 00:01:42.502 So Covid hit.
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00:01:43.970 --> 00:01:45.905 And you take all of the
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00:01:45.905 --> 00:01:50.110 controversial, intense disagreements that had been happening
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00:01:50.110 --> 00:01:53.546 over the last ten years in education, and you apply Covid.
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00:01:54.013 --> 00:01:57.383 And it got very, very difficult.
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00:01:57.684 --> 00:02:02.021 And so everything that was good and wonderful and, and unifying
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00:02:02.322 --> 00:02:04.190 became so divisive.
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00:02:04.190 --> 00:02:05.558 And I watched the language
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00:02:05.558 --> 00:02:09.596 that people use, and I watched the mindset that they had blaming other people.
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00:02:09.863 --> 00:02:12.632 This is a big part of our work with the Dignity Index
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00:02:12.632 --> 00:02:15.635 is finding someone to blame for your pain.
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00:02:16.402 --> 00:02:20.607 And Covid brought a lot of pain to a lot of people, and it's human nature.
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00:02:20.607 --> 00:02:23.209 We want to find someone to blame for that.
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00:02:23.209 --> 00:02:24.410 So I'm going to blame the teachers.
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00:02:24.410 --> 00:02:26.813 I'm going to blame the parents, I'm going to blame the governor.
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00:02:26.813 --> 00:02:31.813 And that it was so disheartening as 2020 continued throughout that year.
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00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:35.121 And I got to the end of my time with the governor,
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00:02:35.121 --> 00:02:37.023 and I thought, there's gotta be a better way.
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00:02:37.023 --> 00:02:41.394 And toward the end of the year, I joined this nonprofit group called Unite.
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00:02:41.394 --> 00:02:45.899 I was volunteering, and in 2021, that's when we started to have this seed of
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00:02:45.899 --> 00:02:50.899 what could we really do to help ease the country's toxic political divides.
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00:02:51.137 --> 00:02:56.137 And that's when we had this idea about creating a measurement, an index
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00:02:56.209 --> 00:03:00.246 of how we speak to each other in moments of conflict, in moments of disagreement.
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00:03:00.246 --> 00:03:02.815 And the Dignity Index was born.
 

Co-Creator & UNITE Chief External Relations Officer

The Dignity Index is an initiative developed by Project UNITE in partnership with researchers at the University of Utah to ease political divisions and prevent violence. It provides an eight-point scale that measures the level of contempt or dignity in speech, ranging from language that dehumanizes others to language that recognizes the inherent worth of every human being. The organization aims to shift public culture by encouraging more respectful dialogue in politics, education, and everyday interactions.

As the Co-Creator and UNITE Chief External Relations Officer, you lead government and corporate partnerships to heal political divides through better conversations. Your role involves managing strategic relationships, overseeing external communications, and promoting the adoption of the Dignity Index framework across various sectors. You work to educate leaders and the public on how language shapes public life and help individuals use the Index to reflect on their own communications.

Politics, Education, Conflict Resolution, Public Relations, Social Impact

I can't run for city council. Someone like me? A PTA president? I don't see it.

Change

Finding A Better Way To Handle Policy Conflict

So you are working in a field that you actually love to do.
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00:00:06.039 --> 00:00:09.042 And I see that is calling you because of the customer service
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00:00:09.042 --> 00:00:11.644 and being able to, work directly with people.
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00:00:11.644 --> 00:00:16.216 Is that the reason why you chose this field because it's fulfilling?
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00:00:16.216 --> 00:00:17.517 Or do you feel like,
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00:00:17.517 --> 00:00:20.453 it was just something that was calling you because of the trade?
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00:00:20.453 --> 00:00:24.224 It was a little bit of both, but the real motivator
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00:00:24.224 --> 00:00:27.660 was helping people, specifically women.
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00:00:27.794 --> 00:00:32.132 I don't know if you've ever had hired anybody to come and work in your home.
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00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:36.269 But, you know, you can get condescending men.
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00:00:36.269 --> 00:00:37.904 They come in and.
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00:00:37.904 --> 00:00:40.974 Oh, pretty little lady, you just step by and I'll take care of this.
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00:00:40.974 --> 00:00:43.676 And I've been fortunate enough.
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00:00:43.676 --> 00:00:46.679 The universe has had my back to be successful at it,
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00:00:46.679 --> 00:00:51.151 but I go to these, women in trades events, and and it's it's very sad
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00:00:51.151 --> 00:00:55.088 to see the majority of the topics that are talked about are,
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00:00:55.088 --> 00:00:58.058 are how hard it is for the women to be in the trades.
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00:00:58.058 --> 00:01:02.328 And, just asking for, you know, a separate bathroom
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00:01:02.862 --> 00:01:07.033 or asking for feminine products And I didn't like that.
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00:01:07.033 --> 00:01:10.937 And I have tried my entire 15 years in business
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00:01:11.304 --> 00:01:16.304 to fought against that general contractor reputation that we have.
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00:01:16.576 --> 00:01:19.512 And I think I've done a pretty good job providing,
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00:01:19.512 --> 00:01:22.715 communication and support and being there for the clients.
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00:01:23.183 --> 00:01:25.919 And it's, you know, this is their home.
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00:01:25.919 --> 00:01:27.454 This is their biggest investment.
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00:01:27.454 --> 00:01:29.789 This is their I mean, they love their home.
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00:01:29.789 --> 00:01:33.927 And and I want to be able to help them with that and keep it healthy and
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00:01:33.960 --> 00:01:35.228 make it beautiful.
 

My days are a mix of networking, managing our team, and guiding clients through the remodeling process. I don’t swing the hammer much anymore, but I keep the business humming, from sales calls to subcontractor schedules. I love helping people turn their homes into places they truly love.

Owner

AmyWorks, Inc. is a women-owned and LGBTQ-owned residential remodeling firm based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2010 by Amy Ecklund, the company specializes in kitchen, bath, and basement renovations, as well as the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs). Known for its commitment to integrity, inclusion, and clear communication, AmyWorks focuses on building long-term client relationships and providing thoughtful design support to transform homes with quality craftsmanship.

As the Owner and a general contractor, you lead a dedicated team in executing high-quality residential remodeling projects. Your role involves overseeing all aspects of the business, from networking and managing team operations to guiding clients through the complexities of the remodeling process. You are responsible for ensuring projects are completed with superior craftsmanship while maintaining a workplace dedicated to diversity and empowering clients through education and professional service.

Residential Remodeling, General Contracting, Kitchen and Bath Design, ADU/DADU Construction, Construction Management

Negativity

Misconceptions About Librarians

Misconceptions About Librarians

Sam Helmick

296 videos on Negativity: