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Our welcome to WAMM Co-Director Heather Foster could not be more cordial, more heartfelt. Heather has steadfastly seen us through some recently bumpy times. She first came to WAMM when she was an undergrad at Hamline University taking a course in Gender Politics that included a service-learning component. After attending several coalition meetings and vigils, Heather researched and wrote a paper on WAMM. So it was with eyes quite wide open she returned "home" in early October to work for WAMM.
One of our regular office volunteers observes that Heather is alert to the moment; she sees what needs to be done and is not reluctant to tackle things. This volunteer has seen her responding to the endless variety of office walk-ins with their varying needs and requests. Don't even mention the stream of phone calls impinging on her attention. It is enough to make a slightly flawed person want to shriek! But our Heather takes each one and acts as if that call were the only one she had to attend to at the moment.
One of her very endearing qualities is being able to listen and be present something that is in such short supply in our society. In addition, she is so capable, candid, and willing to learn new skills, I risk being accused of hyperbole if I continue.
I asked Heather what drew her to us, what intrigued her at WAMM. Her response? WAMM is a women's organization run on feminist principles. She wanted to see the inner workings of this long-standing organization. I asked her what has surprised her. She thoughtfully says it is how much people rely on WAMM for information.
Heather is very articulate, thinks on her feet amid the whirling activities in the office, and is virtually unflappable. What keeps her going is the internal support from WAMM members. She feels that members care deeply and show it in the outpouring of passion, in the marches, in doing what needs to be done.
In the long term, Heather dreams of working herself out of this job. Until then, in her free time, she reads, plays with her two cats, Kali and Chase, practices yoga and African drumming. Come and meet her. She'll welcome you too!
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