Women Who Make Difference: Daughter of Iraqi Refugees Hanan Al-Zubaidy Helps Incarcerated Individuals Chart Reentry Paths

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Washington State Department of Corrections’ website Story and Photos By Rachel Friederich, Washington State Department of Corrections YACOLT – Hanan Al-Zubaidy (pronounced HAH-non Al-SOO- Bay- Dee) never met her maternal grandfather, but says his actions influenced her to make education a central part of her career. Al-Zubaidy’s…

A First Responder for the Heart and Soul: DOC Employee Launches Non-profit Organization to Train Chaplains for Wilderness

Editor’s Note: This article was first published on The Washington State Department of Corrections’ website. By Rachel Friederich OLYMPIA, Washington—As an avid mountaineer and volunteer police chaplain, Katjarina Hurt knows firsthand the mental and emotional toll frequent exposure to trauma can have on first responders. In urban settings, there is usually a chaplain, a staff…

Trailblazing for Women's Equity on and off the Court

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on the Washington State Department of Corrections’ website. Story and photos by Rachel Friederich, Washington State Department of Corrections GIG HARBOR – “When our powers combine, we change lives.” Those are the words displayed above Corrections Specialist Lynne Newark’s computer. She repeats the words to participants in her cognitive…

Women Who Make a Difference: Kathleen Glennon

When Department of Corrections classification counselor, Kathleen Glennon is not improving the lives of incarcerated individuals, she’s improving the lives of people in the community in the Dockyard Derby Dames Roller Derby team in Tacoma. Part of the money raised from bouts goes to charity.  Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on the Washington State…

WA's Ecology Director on Native Knowledge and Fighting for Forgotten Communities

Washington State Department of Ecology Director Maia Bellon was recently interviewed on being Native American and how growing up in the Pacific Northwest shaped her worldview and ignited a passion for working with communities to solve environmental problems. Editor’s Note: This Article Originally Appeared on CrossCut. By Hannah Weinberger, CrossCut Maia Bellon grew up exploring…