I am nominating my mother, Pamela Martin, who represents each of the criteria listed above. She was extremely brave to leave a horrible marriage in the early 1970's to become a single mother, start her own business, and return to school to complete her education with a Master's Degree. My mother is extremely generous to everyone around her and raised me to be a compassionate, independent woman with a high work ethic. She is the type of friend who answers the phone at 3:00am, invites you to stay at her house while she nurtures you through a breakup, would give you her last dollar, and never asks for anything in return. She is a Masters level Medical Social Worker and is the Clinical Director of Crisis Preparation & Recovery. She has dedicated her life to helping others and making a difference in people's lives. My mother has also provided private counseling and I personally know of several instances in which a client could not afford something that would ensure their safety and she found a way, each time, to anonymously provide the money to help them out. To this day her clients don't know that she was the one that provided the money for them. She will spend hours of unpaid time to advocate for her clients in the attempt to make their life more tolerable. Pamela has started 2 of her own businesses and has been an example and trendsetter for other women as well as small business owners. She is a wonderful mother and grandmother and has never been given the credit that she has earned. She has had to overcome some horrible circumstances of her own and could have given up many times. Each time she has picked herself up and made herself better which makes her an amazing example not only for women, but for anyone who has been pushed down by life. If my mother doesn't qualify, then no one does! I love her so very much. I am begging you to honor her strength, spirit, education, and commitment to humanity.

Signed,
Krista Matsueda