A Lifetime of Service - A Record of Results

Thrity-five years ago my husband Albert and I moved to Pierce County. He was assigned to the Army Dental Corps at Ft. Lewis. We fell in love with the area and decided to stay. Al set up a dental practice in Tacoma and we moved to University Place twenty-six years ago. We have raised five children in the community. Two of our sons are raising their children here as well. We moved to University Place because we thought it was the best place in the area for our children to grow and thrive.  

Shortly after we arrived, I got involved in local issues like the conservation of Chambers Creek canyon, improving Pierce County libraries, and working on a parks comprehensive plan for the University Place Parks and Recreation District. When I  saw how poorly managed growth and increasing crime were destroying many of the things I valued most about the community I became an activist for better zoning and public safety.  

In 1994 I managed the successful (83% yes vote) Citizens for Incorporation of University Place campaign. By creating our own city we have been able to change that trend. 

Education and Professional Experience

B.S. in History and Geography, Brigham Young University 1969

Graduate Studies in Library Science and Education 1969-71

Teacher/Librarian/Media Specialist, Milford Public School District, Milford Nebraska 1970-1973

Substitute Teacher, Clover Park School District 1981-1983

City Council Leadership

City of University Place, Mayor (1997-98 and 2008-09)

City of University Place, Council Members (14 years)

City of University Place Legislative Committee, Member

Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, Board Member (Representing all Pierce County cities other than Tacoma) 

Puget Sound Regional Council Operations Committee, Board Member 

Tacoma/Pierce County Solid Waste Advisory Board, Local Cities Representative

PSRC- Transportation Advisory Board, Board Member (1986-2002)

PSRC- Vision 2020 Committee, Chairman (previous) 

County Regional Council, Board Member (14 years - 2 as President)

Present Volunteer Projects

Friends of Homestead Park Committee, Member 

City of University Place Beautification Committee, Member

Playground by the Sound Steering Committee, Co-Chairman

PUSH (Parents for University Place Schools Here), Committee Member 

PUPS in the Parks, Member

UP for Art, Judge 

Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber of Commerce-University Place Division, Member

University Place Historical Society, Member

Tacoma Audubon Society, Member

Church Service-Family History/Genealogy Consultant

City of University Place Incorporation Involvement

Citizens for Incorporation, Campaign Manager 

Citizens for Incorporation Steering Committee, Chairman 

“Notice of Intent to Incorporate”, Research Chairman

Nesbit Study - Negotiation Team

University Place Petition Drive, Co-Chairman

University Place Community Council, Board Member

Other Historical Volunteer Experience

Homestead Park Rhododendron Garden, Chairman & Co-founder

City of Jiang You, Sister Cities Committee

Pierce County/University Place Land Use Advisory Commission, Chairman

Pierce County Comprehensive Plan “Ace”  Committee, (Transportation, Land use), Member 

Pierce County Library Foundation, Member

Pierce County “Libraries Yes” Campaign, Chairman

University Place Chamber of Commerce, Governmental Affairs Committee, Member

University Place Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Board, Member

University Place Parks and Recreation District Comprehensive Plan Team, Chairman

University Place Neighborhood Coalition, President 

SOUP (Serve Our University Place), Vice-President

United State Selective Service Commission, Board Member

Pierce County Library Foundation, Board Member 

GFWC - Chambers Bay Women’s Club, Conservation Chairman

GFWC - Lakewood Jr. Women’s Club, President

GFWC - Peninsula District, Director

WA State Federation of Women’s Clubs, State Community Improvement Chairman

Boy Scouts of America, Den Mother (four times!)

Ballet Tacoma League, Board member

Center for Child Abuse Prevention Services, Speakers Bureau Volunteer

South Tacoma Food Bank, Volunteer

Christmas House, Volunteer

Washington State Centennial, Centennial Quilts Chairman

PTSA Volunteer and Room Mother

Church Volunteer, Children, Youth, and Women’s Leadership Positions

Recognition

GFWC, Washington State Club Woman of the Year, 1989

Association of Washington Cities - Advanced Municipal Leadership Award 

Albert Bird (spouse)

Education and Professional Experience

Graduated with honors, Univerity of Nebraska College of Dentistry. 

U.S. Army Dental Corps, Ft. Lewis, WA

 

Present Volunteer Involvement

Pierce County Dental Foundation Board, Secretary

Pierce County Dental Society, Access to Care Committee

Medical Teams International, St. Clare Hospital Dental Van Volunteer (11 yrs)

Tacoma Audubon Society, Member

Historical Volunteer Experience

Washington State Dental Association, Board Member 

Pierce County Dental Society, President and still active in committee work

Boy Scouts of America Troop 289, Committee Chairman

Washington State Dental Society, Board Member

Paint Tacoma Beautiful, Volunteer

Citizens for Incorporation Campaign

Washington Dental Service, Trustee

Northwest Medical Teams, Volunteer