I'm running for Hillsboro City Council because our city works best when everyone who lives here has a voice.
I am a nine-year resident of Hillsboro, working downtown for a nonprofit public defense law firm, and I currently serve on the Hillsboro Planning Commission.
First and foremost, I am a mother. It is the best and most important job I have, and my kids are the inspiration behind everything I do.
I was a stay-at-home mom for nearly ten years before re-entering the workforce in 2016, without a previous career or college degree to fall back on. I worked hard in retail, customer service, and house cleaning, building resilience under pressure and honing my listening skills. In 2021, while working full time, I attended college for the first time, and in 2023 I earned my A.A. in Paralegal Studies.
Since 2024 I have worked in indigent defense, work that feels closer to social work and human rights advocacy than a typical paralegal role.
I serve on the executive board of my union, Oregon AFSCME Local 3668, as the elected representative for my job classification. I also sit on the Bargaining Committee and was recently asked to join the Benefits Committee.
I have been an active member since day one, fighting for better pay for those of us who are paid the least in our organization.
I have served on the Hillsboro Planning Commission since 2024, where we review land use applications. Serving on the Commission has given me real insight into how planning and local infrastructure shape the community I call home.
I gather donations for my office's clothing closet, which serves our clients, most of them homeless community members, with gently used clothing, camping supplies, and hygiene items. That's not part of my job as a legal assistant; it's something I took on because I saw a need.
I also volunteer with the Hillsboro United Mutual Aid Network (HUMAN), coordinating food distribution for Hillsboro families in need. It's a true community effort, and I'm proud of the work HUMAN is doing.