This is the first in a series of guest posts by Sandra Moscoso, featuring a few of Capitol Hill’s sheroes — remarkable women — in honor of Women’s History Month. Today’s post features Laurie Siegel.
Shero. For many, the word brings to mind luminaries such as Harriet Tubman, Indira Gandhi and the more recently recognized Kathryn Bigelow (was it me or did that Oscars gown just not work?). These women will go down in history for their pioneering achievements. As much as these achievements are incontrovertible, I contend that there are sheroes walking among us here in Capitol Hill. I first heard the term “shero” during a conversation with Ms. Waduda Henderson, an amazing woman herself and the face of the Montessori program at Watkins Elementary. I thought it was a neat expression, but didn’t think too much about it at the time.
Something about a community meeting I attended last week made that word creep back into my consciousness. I was struck by the impact made by women to our little ‘town.’ The work these women put into Capitol Hill make it possible for my family to enjoy an urban community rich in diversity, where an excellent public education is possible. I felt the world needed to know about these women (and others), so I agreed to write this series as a way of celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. In the spirit of journalistic integrity, I will add that a few of my sheroes were not comfortable with the spotlight. I respect their privacy, so I will not talk about Spectacular Suzanne, Super Sherry, or Kick-ass Kristine…. Really, I won’t…. However, I will publicly admire some others, starting with Laurie Siegel.
Laurie Siegel – ‘Retired’ art teacher (41 year veteran, thank you very much), mentor, and activist. At Watkins Elementary, through the ‘Kids Helping Kids’ program, Laurie offered art lessons (helping kids design and make beautiful glass pendants, bowls and plates) and incorporated opportunities for Capitol Hill children to help others around the world. The children sold the glass artwork to raise funds for Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders. Now ‘retired’, Laurie can be found teaching art after school at Maury Elementary and St. Colettas (among others), participating in peace missions, and mentoring new teachers through Inspired Teaching programs. Did I mention her role in the Yume Tree on the 12th St. CVS? When asked why she does what she does, Laurie says ‘I love it…If I’m not teaching kids about the world and their place in it, then I shouldn’t be teaching.’ And who are Laurie’s sheroes? Fellow artist Kris Swanson of The Corner Store and fellow humanitarian/activist Kristine Jones.
Something about a community meeting I attended last week made that word creep back into my consciousness. I was struck by the impact made by women to our little ‘town.’ The work these women put into Capitol Hill make it possible for my family to enjoy an urban community rich in diversity, where an excellent public education is possible. I felt the world needed to know about these women (and others), so I reached out to my friend Liz Festa at the Hill is Home thinking she might like the idea of a series of stories celebrating International Women’s Day, by recognizing the achievements of a few women in Capitol Hill. Liz and the editors liked the idea, but suggested I write it. This could not have been further from my ‘get an idea and have someone else implement it’ plan, but I am grateful for this opportunity to write my own love letter to the sheroes of Capitol Hill.
Let me begin this mini-series by recognizing women who aren’t necessarily on MY Capitol Hill Sheroes list, but whose influence led to my being in attendance at the aforementioned community meeting. These sheroes include my mother Elizabeth, who has always gone out of her way to help people (friends and strangers), my friend Luana, who is my ‘life mentor’ and who is successful and beautiful in every way imaginable, and my next-door neighbor Linda, who taught me what it means to be a good neighbor and who can build a community in her sleep (seriously…). These women are quintessential sheroes, but not necessarily on my ‘list’. In the spirit of journalistic integrity, I will add that a few of my sheroes were not comfortable with the spotlight. I respect their privacy, so I will not talk about Spectacular Suzanne, Super Sherry, or Kick-ass Kristine…. Really, I won’t…. However, I will publicly admire ….
Shero #1 – Laurie Siegel – ‘Retired’ art teacher (41 year veteran, thank you very much), mentor, and activist. At Watkins Elementary, through the ‘Kids Helping Kids’ program, Laurie took art lessons (helping kids design and make beautiful glass pendants, bowls and plates) and incorporated opportunities for Capitol Hill children to help others around the world. The children sold the glass artwork to raise funds for Save the Children and Doctors without Borders. Now ‘retired’, Laurie can be found teaching art after school at Maury Elementary and St. Colettas (among others), participating in peace missions, and mentoring new teachers through Inspired Teaching programs. Did I mention her role in the Yume tree on the 12th St. CVS? When asked why she does what she does, Laurie says ‘I love it…If I’m not teaching kids about the world and their place in it, then I shouldn’t be teaching.’ And who are Laurie’s sheroes? Fellow artist Kris Swanson of ‘The Corner Store‘ and fellow humanitarian/activist Kristine Jones.
Laurie is a treasure. Her work making art with our neighborhood children is priceless. I proudly wear my Ms. Seigel glass necklaces and where ever I go – the Los Angeles airport, a union meeting in the Midwest, family gatherings – people compliment it and ask where I got my necklace. I’m proud to share her story and her art.