I fell in love with Europe as an exchange student in Nürnberg, Germany.  I met my husband, Roberto (Bob) when we were English teachers as Peace Corps Volunteers in Cameroon (West Central Africa).  In my 33-year career in public health I worked with migrant farmworkers, mostly from Mexico and Central America, in the Coachella Valley of California and advocated on behalf of pregnant and nursing women.   We came to Porto in June of 2023, choosing Portugal because of Bob’s Brazilian and Azorean heritage and Porto for the climate and the city’s amazing charm—and the food! Our daughter, 40, lives in West Sacramento: she is a state worker and acts in community theater in her off hours. Our son, Josh, 37, lives in San Francisco and is currently in a career transition from theater to computer coding. They attend demonstrations regularly.

Growing up, I watched my dad as he wrote a two-sentence postcard to his elected representatives every week; my mom received hate mail as President of the Texas League of Women Voters by advocating for the right of women to serve on juries.  This will be the sixth organization for which I serve as Secretary—I am primed both genetically and by experience to do this valuable work.