Thoughts

Plymouth County Democrats, 2/3/2017 Edition 1, Volume 2

Tell me about your family:

I have four children, twelve grand-children, and seven great-grand-children.

Tell me about your hobbies or interests, past or present:

I love to go camping. For years my husband and I camped at Correctionville and Scenic Park. Now we have a camper at Camp Boji at the lakes and try to spend as much time there as possible during the summer. I am a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the Iowa Voters for Companion Animals group. For several years I volunteered at the soup kitchen in Sioux City.

Tell me about your educational and occupational history:

I graduated from Kingsley High School and attended Westmar College for one year. I worked at Northwestern Bell for a year as a long distance operator then held a few other jobs after getting married. I worked for Senator Tom Harkin for over 20 years.

Tell me about your involvement with the Democratic Party:

I started as a volunteer with Senator Tom Harkin’s office in 1986 and then was hired on as staff after a year. As I said, I worked for the Senator for over 20 years. I was a member of the Woodbury County Democratic Central Committee for many years and served as secretary for over 10 years. I am currently a member of the Plymouth County Central Committee.

Tell me about any awards or commendations you’ve received:

Last year I was honored to receive the activist award from the DAWN’S List group. I received 10-year and 20-year awards from the US Senate for my years on Senator Harkin’s staff. Upon my retirement I received recognition from Governor Chet Culver, the City of Sioux City, the Iowa House and Iowa Senate.

Tell me something not many people know about you:

I lived on an acreage for 20 years and learned to vaccinate cows and sheep.

Tell me what you’re most proud of: I am most proud of my children, who have always been supportive of me in the choices I have made regarding my personal life and my work with Senator Harkin. I’m also very proud of the work I did for the Senator and in being able to help constituents who were confronting difficult issues.

Who is your biggest hero, past or present?

My biggest hero is Senator Harkin. He fought for all the right causes and was very effective in his work. His constituent work was his highest priority, and I am proud to have been a part of that.

How long have you been active in your favorite causes and/or community in Iowa?

Probably active for over 40 years.

Were there any significant hurdles or fears you had to face over the years?

One hurdle was learning how a Senate office works and learning to deal with agencies to help constituents. Dealing with threatening people coming to the office was a definite fear, but I did it and learned a lot about dealing with various personalities.

Tell me your favorite quote:

My favorite quote is “There are those who look at things the way they are and ask why…. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?”

– Bobby Kennedy

To meet Maureen and many other interesting Plymouth County Democrats, come to our monthly meetings, held the 3rd Monday of the month (locations announced via email, on KLEM 1410 AM, and in the Le Mars Daily Sentinel)

Plymouth County Democrats, 1/9/2017 Edition 1, Volume 1

Tell me about your pets:

I have a six-year-old Bichson named Molly Bear.

Tell me about your hobbies or interests, past or present:

My interests are water color art, community service, and traveling. I’ve been doing water colors for six years and do three classes at the Sioux City Art Center every year. I am President of the Arts Center, The Friday Club, and Secretary of several other clubs and organizations. I take care of St. George’s Episcopal Church as the Senior Warden now for the 15th year. I work at Hands Around the World in Orange City from April to December and take the winter off because of the weather in Sioux County, which is actually worse than Plymouth County. I have traveled all over the world, including many of the lower 48 states, Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Tell me about your educational and occupational history:

I have an MA in history (I am an Egyptian freak) as well as a major in English and taught high school for 35 years. I have been retired from teaching for 16 years.

Tell me about your involvement with the Democratic Party:

I am the Secretary of the Plymouth County Democrats and have been active in the Democratic Party since 2008 but a Democrat since before Reagan was President. I am a big Obama supporter. I believe politics is the business of every citizen.

Tell me something not many people know about you:

I’ve been very lucky most of my life, so I’m well named.

Tell me what you’re most proud of:

I recently found out that I am related to Henry the VIII (not directly, but through one of his sisters, which one I don’t know, and that’s a long story. That part of the family left the U.S. when the Constitution was signed after fighting in the Revolutionary War (apparently on the wrong side). They left for Canada, going so far as to change their name, but eventually came back years later. The Lucketts have been here since 1650, arriving in Maryland and living there until the Revolutionary War was over (THEY fought on the right side). They received land certificates to go to Kentucky, so every summer eight or ten allied families would take their worldly goods and head west, eventually settling in western Kentucky, where my grandfather was born in the late 1700’s.

Tell me your favorite saying:

My favorite saying is “Keep putting one foot in front of the other!” Moving on…

To meet Kay and many other interesting Plymouth County Democrats, come to our monthly meetings, held the 3rd Monday of the month (locations announced via email, on KLEM 1410 AM, and in the Le Mars Daily Sentinel)