Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

Congratulations Unsung Hero: Barbara James

February is Parent Recognition Month. Strengthening Families Washington, of the Department of Early Learning for Washington State, believes there is no better way to recognize a parent, grandparent, foster or adoptive parent than by acknowledging the numerous and impressive things they do to strengthen their family and those around them in their community.

Seattle's Child is proud to sponsor the Washington Unsung Hero Awards, recognizing our everyday heroes and honoring the important role caregivers play in children's lives. There are 28 nominees for the 28 days of February, and Seattle's Child will highlight each and every one.

Congratulations to the Unsung Hero for February 28: Barbara James – La Conner, WA:

Barbara is not only a Tribal Council member and a community leader for the Swinomish Tribe; she also took on the care of four of her grandchildren in a guardianship. Barbara has served on the Tribal Senate for 20 years; various Tribal Human Service positions since 1976 and is currently oversees with their Youth Prevention program. She has been married for over 41 years, has 3 children and 11 grandchildren. Despite Barbara's full time job and service to the Tribal Council; the grandchildren in her care get to school and attend community events; they are doing very well. She is a very strong role model as a Tribal member, mother and grandmother; she is seen at many Tribal functions with her grandchildren in tow; she is enthusiastic about the revitalization of their Tribal culture. She not only talks about family and cultural values, but she demonstrates this with her presence. it is amazing that she finds the time and energy to keep on going. I was very impressed when she and her grandchildren and other family members showed up to a Skagit County Multi-Cultural Event last September in Mount Vernon. Her family sang traditional songs along with their drums and she delivered a personal speech about the importance of culture and cultural identify; she and her grandchildren stayed the whole day for the event. The audience responded greatly to her and her family. The community and state are unable to offer a whole lot to relatives like Barbara, but she does manage and I have never heard her complain. For these reasons, I believe Barbara to be an Unsung Hero.

Nominator: Joanne Riley

About the Author