Public speaking is my terror - shaking hands, heart racing, the works. I volunteered for a public speaking gig in front of a very large group of people at a national conference. What is one thing you've done recently that's scared you and took courage, but you're glad you did?Ī. Getting to teach this class is an opportunity to convince people of their own power to effect change in this city - and hopefully, to encourage them to go out and use it. And now I get to help people learn how to do that. How can you get a bike lane installed on your street? Can you create a brand new pocket park in your neighborhood or turn a parking lot into a garden? Yes, you can. The purpose of the class is to teach neighborhood activists how they can work with the local government to make change in their city. What is one project you are excited to be working on right now?Ī. I’m co-teaching a class at Portland State University. It’s an honor to be entrusted with my community’s quality of life and preservation of the most beautiful wild lands I’ve ever known and I feel very grateful to have a job that is so personally meaningful to me. This UGB keeps the area within the boundary compact and bikeable while preserving the farmlands and forests on the outside of the line. Now living in Portland, Oregon, I follow my passion for the natural sciences, cycling, dancing, and exploring around the Pacific Northwest.Ī. I absolutely love my work! As a Regional Planner for the Portland metropolitan area, my job is to manage the Urban Growth Boundary.

I’m a Toledo native who was born to head West, wander around in the wide world, and poke at things with sticks. I've longed for her to move to this coast and hang out with me, but I think I'll have to settle for visiting.Ī. She to the West Coast me to the East Coast, thanks to the beauty of Facebook and good old fashion letter writing I've watched from afar as our interests have intersected.

After high school we went our separate ways. We've known each other since the awkward stages of puberty, been in many plays and musicals together, dated and kissed the same guy, and spent many hours in estrogen circles together pouring our hearts out long into the night. She's brilliant, funny, beautiful, and a badass cyclist (which she barely mentions in this interview, but she is). I'm geeked to share this wise women with you since I've known her since high school. These are all women who live a life of abundance and bring creativity into the world.

It's Wise Women Wednesday, each week I interview a woman that I believe is inspiring, living abundantly and following her passions.

Secret Worlds by Rebecca Hamilton