Bainbridge Graduate Institute
Personal Statement

Earning acceptance into Bainbridge Graduate Institute allows for a custom solution to my existential crisis as a disillusioned college graduate seeking the elusive “perfect job”. Motivation and inspiration to pursue postgraduate studies came with the sudden realization that I would never be satisfied with what is perceived as a “good job”. Blurring the distinction between career and personal life I choose to work to live, not live to work. I no longer subscribe to the school of thought representing the crumbling business paradigm which values productivity and profit over people’s health and livelihood. I am no longer interested in feeding the endless cycle of work and consumption with my blood, sweat, and tears chasing the dream of someone that isn’t me. I reject the rat race, no more “armchair activism”. It’s time to arise, shake off the dust and awaken to my life’s purpose.

Now we the American working population
Hate the fact that eight hours a day
Is wasted on chasing the dream of someone that isn’t us
And we may not hate our jobs
But we hate jobs in general
That don’t have to do with fighting
our own causes
We the American working population
Hate the nine-to-five day–in day-out
When we’d rather be supporting ourselves
By being paid to perfect the past times
That we have harbored based
solely on the fact
That it makes us smile…
- Aesop Rock

My entrepreneurial quest to build a health centric eco-empire fuels a newfound purpose and passion in my life. Earning an advanced degree will support the following career goals:

• Increase awareness of individual health related to global planetary health
• Develop small business work site wellness policies to include holistic health modalities to improve employee morale, reduce employee stress and illness
• Create an economic infrastructure for eco-tourism in Alaska
• Coordinate eco-services and restaurants that cater to the eco-tourist niche interested in preserving the cultural and natural beauty of their vacation destination
• Implement marketing strategies to grow my e-commerce web site to include a local Alaskan sustainability focus

Perfecting the intangible qualities of meaningful work and not sacrificing the cohesiveness of my family unit is the central theme of my new outlook on life. I plan to execute my pursuit of happiness the "good ol' fashion American way", capitalizing on freedom to build my "tree hugger" vision of the future. The redesign of my web site, mamablessings.com in December of 2006, set in motion phase one of a long term home-based sustainable business plan. Mama Blessings uses the innovation of the World Wide Web to showcase the power of everyday activism. Conscious consumers vote with their hard earned dollars, helping to initiate industry change. Social marketing is the revolutionary concept that aligns values with activism and influences the world in a positive way. I believe that social justice, an essential tenet of humanity, cannot be met until political and corporate environmental malfeasance has ended. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work manifesting my global holistic world view. Protecting mother earth and my family's health has evolved into a full time dream job.

Advocating for under served populations on the front lines of society initiated me into a world of state and federal funding, pharmaceutical companies, broken families, abuse, drugs, violence, mental illness, homelessness and hopelessness. It was the emotional struggle to address the multi-faceted needs of my clients and the juxtaposition of poverty and privilege of American society that led to my eventual burnout from working in health and social services. Faced with examples of race, gender, and class inequities I became intimately acquainted with the systems that perpetuate oppression. These experiences give my life more purpose and meaning than words could express because I know it is up to me to provide practical solutions by leading through example.

Upon graduating from Northern Arizona University with my undergraduate degree in Health Education, I went the extra mile and took the exam to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). The CHES certification is the highest professional and academic standard a health educator can achieve. It is through this certification that afforded me the opportunity to participate on the Alaska Health Education Consortium board since 2004. Even though I am a stay-at-home mom, I remain active in the health professional community with my volunteer role as a Continuing Education Board member tasked with accrediting eligible conferences and events. I have made a commitment to engage in stimulating activities that enhance my personal and professional life regardless of compensation. Immersed in the supportive environment created by my partner, friends, and family I am confident in my ability to balance life's demands by addressing physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health components. Part of my business plan is to perfect the art and science of a health and sustainability lifestyle.