[Note: This interview is one of 100 conducted in Nevada County, California by Gary Quehl and his colleagues. One half of the interviews were conducted with “emerging sage leaders” (Pam Davidson being one of these emerging sage leaders). The other 50 interviews were conducted with “senior sage leaders” in Nevada County. All of those who were interviewed are actively involved in the ongoing development of their community.]
You have been identified by friends and colleagues as one of our community’s 50 top emerging sage leaders. A sage leader is a person who brings unusual experience, sound judgment, and wisdom in working to advance the civic well-being of our community.
1. To begin, how many years have you lived in Nevada County? Where in the county do you reside?
I have lived in Nevada County for five years and live near the Transfer Station off McCourtney Road in Grass Valley.
2. May I ask how old you are?
I am 53 years old.
3. If you would, please share a bit about your personal history: where you grew-up; where you went to school and college; what organizations you have worked for and the positions you have held.
I was born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania where the population was 3,000. It was not very diverse, mostly white and working class. My parents were married young when both were 18 years old. My father worked as a mechanic and my mother stayed home and took care of the family. I went to public schools, where the average class size was 20 -25. I was the middle child with an older sister and a younger brother. My parents divorced when I was four years old. After the divorce, my father moved to New Jersey and ended up living in El Cajon, California. I really didn’t see my dad growing up. However, the rest of my father’s family still lived in my hometown.
Being a child of divorced parents in the early 60’s was rare and at times an awkward situation for a young child. My mother was remarried when I was in the 5th grade and my step-father worked for the railroad. They remained married today. We spent a lot of time camping and taking vacations to Washington D.C., New York and Virginia Beach. Most people in my hometown worked for two primary industries, the coal mines and steel mills. It was a very small and close community. On Sundays, you would go to church and then spend the rest of the day visiting friends and relatives. I had a large extended family and was very close to my great-grandmother. If somebody was sick in the family, you’d watch their kids, take them food or run errands for them.
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