My mother, Sandie Griffiths, is the woman of the year. She is 57, blind, a widow, and has lupus. However, she does not let any of this stop her. She is currently living on Social Security disability. She has lived in Gilbert, AZ since 1982 in the same house. She has dedicated over 15 years to Girl Scouts of America. When she was a Girl Scout Leader, her troops consisted of special needs girls and girls from poor families. She made sure that every girl had every opportunity that any other girl in scouts had. My mom was also a volunteer at St Anne's Church for 15 years. She worked at the church for free and had them take what they were going to pay her and use it for the church. Every day is a struggle for my mom to keep her house and be the independent role model woman that she is. Despite all of these challenges, she is the most giving person I know. She works with people out of her home who have suffered great lose. She counsels them and guides them. Every Christmas she adopts a family to make their Christmas bright, even though she has very little money her self. Every Wednesday she opens her house for people to come and meditate/pray and eat a good meal. She never turns anyone away. In the past year she has had several people who have become homeless sleep on her sofa till they get back on their feet. To top all of this off, she spent every Thursday at TG Barr School in my self-contained K-2 Autism class for two years. My mom has always taught my sister and me that if you want to do something then nothing can stop you. She has always been there when her children have needed a shoulder to cry on, a word of encouragement, a smile of praise, and any other little thing you can think of. She always helps those in need even though she is in need of help herself. My mom Sandie Griffiths is the BEST Mom in the KEZ NATION and should be the Woman of the Year!

Signed,
Breann Griffiths