Seattle’s Child is proud to partner with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families Strengthening Families Washington to honor outstanding caregivers doing important work on behalf of children. Throughout February, we’ll introduce you to Unsung Heroes from around the state. Enjoy their stories.
Penny Spencer, Spokane
Penny Spencer is a Spokane Tribal descendant, a devoted caregiver and a true unsung hero within the Spokane Tribal community.
Over many years, Penny has taken on the responsibility of caring for children in her family with deep love, commitment, and resilience. She has served as a primary caregiver to her granddaughter for an extended period of time, and she has also cared for her great-niece since infancy. Her great-niece, now approximately seven to eight years old, has significant developmental delays and complex medical needs, and Penny has been a consistent advocate for her care, development, and well-being.
Penny has navigated medical systems, early intervention supports, and educational services to ensure the children in her care have access to what they need to thrive. She demonstrates a strong understanding of child development and the importance of early supports, while also modeling patience, empathy, and emotional safety every day in her home.
In addition to her caregiving role, Penny is a dedicated community educator and plant teacher who shares cultural knowledge through gathering and teaching traditional plant use. She brings children and grandchildren into this work, strengthening cultural identity, connection, and healing across generations.
Penny has also experienced profound personal loss, including the deaths of two of her children — one daughter to suicide and one son in a tragic motorcycle accident during his high school years. Despite these hardships, Penny continues to show up for her family and community with strength, humility, and generosity. Her life reflects resilience, love, and quiet leadership, making her deeply deserving of recognition as an Unsung Hero.
— Mindy Flett
NOTE: Seattle’s Child is running these stories unedited, as written by the people who nominated them, in keeping with the DCYF Unsung Hero process.
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