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.
All month long, we’ll introduce you to Unsung Heroes from around the state: biological parents, grandparents, foster and adoptive parents. Some volunteer at local schools; some have started nonprofits; some mentor others in their communities. Enjoy their stories.
Tienaya Sigmund-Godes, Spokane
I am nominating Tienaya as an unsung hero because she is just that.
She has shown strength, courage and empathy in her community as parent, a friend and a classmate. Tienaya is a soccer mom to six kids but still finds the energy to show up with a servant heart and encourages all around her to get more involved.
Her personal story demonstrates resilience and strength beyond the average person’s imagination. She is an advocate for all moms through Moms Rising, Washington State Parent Ambassadors and now through DCYF. I have been lucky enough to learn from and beside Tienaya a few times. The latest was in a pilot Essential Skills class through the ZoNE out of the Northeast Community Center in Spokane. This class is for moms that are interested in bettering themselves and getting ready for a career change. We built websites, built confidence and built relationships that I hope last a long time. Tienaya not only showed up every day eager to learn and vulnerable enough to share, she was our class’s biggest cheerleader. Sometimes that meant sitting outside one of our houses as a ride for a classmate who was having a hard time, telling her she wasn’t moving until she was in the car to come to class with her. She gave us flower pens and inspiration cards and I am sure she would have given us her shirt had we asked.
I am so grateful to know Tienaya and to get to watch her in action as a super mom in Northeast Spokane. Last year I was fortunate to have been nominated for this award (read Lindsey Shaw’s story here) and was taken back by the recognition. I hope that by nominating Tienaya, I can pass on the gift of pride and confidence this award gave me. Tienaya, you are amazing!
Nominator: Lindsey Shaw
More Unsung Heroes:
‘Super mom’ advocates for kids with developmental differences
Katie Biron: a passion for healing families, building community
Ryan Eldred keeps his kids safe and loved, even in tough times
