I love taking walks!
Sheila Harrison, Board Member
Where I’m from: In a game of “How many places have you lived?”, I usually win! I grew up in New York, graduated High School in Colorado, moved all over the US raising a family as the wife on an enlisted Navy member. Things settled down as the kids got toward High School and I went back to college, receiving a BS in Civil Engineering in California. Then to Seattle, for a 22-year career as a Civil Engineer. Now retired, I split my time between Seattle, where my family is, and Princeton, where my expanded family is.
Things I enjoy: Music! I play the guitar (if I had a day job, I wouldn’t quit it!) and I sing. I like making music with others. Listening. I love to cook and enjoy meals with family and friends. I’ve made a few quilts in my time (I should get back to that!). And I love walking: it provides my transportation, my meditation and my exercise!
Something interesting about me: I'm still not sure how I ended up being an Engineer! Straight out of High School, I completed a full year of University classes in humanities and social sciences before life took me another direction..Twelve years later, I wanted to go back to college, and needed to decide what to study. I was nervous about going back to school, so I decided to test the waters with the most intimidating classes I could find. I took Pre-calculus, Computer programming and Art. That led me to a Drafting class. And that led me to working as a Civil Drafter for a few years. One day, I asked my boss a question, and he provided the brilliant response: "You don't need to understand that. You're just a Drafter'" So, off I went to school again to figure out the answers for myself and, 20 years after graduating High School, I received my BS in Civil Engineering!
Engineering is hard. And I don't really think in the typical ways that Engineers think. But I find so much value in the training. I know how to break a problem down into steps that can be accomplished. I know it is good to ask questions. And I know that each of us can accomplish more than we may think we can.
Why I love working with Midwest Partners: I am passionate about pulling people together to solve problems and make things better. In major Civil Works projects, families, business and communities, I believe the best results come about when diverse viewpoints are considered early and throughout problem definition, development of potential solutions, and execution of the best option. Pulling people together is what Midwest Partners is all about! And there is enough flexibility so that each person can find their way, matching their strengths to the work we are doing.
Nonprofits I support: Real Rent program: this program is an acknowledgement that, as a property owner in Seattle, I am a guest on the land that was taken from the Duwamish tribe. Real Rent is a program where individuals can contribute monthly “rent”, which is a small acknowledgement of what is owed to the Duwamish people, to lift up the tribe, and promote its social, cultural, political and economic survival. I also contribute regularly to Public Television and Public Radio in multiple forms, Providence Hospice, Planned Parenthood, Off Square Music and, of course… Midwest Partners!