Franklin honored as mentor

OLYMPIA – Over the years, she’s been a role model for those aspiring to careers in nursing and in public service. For that record, Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma, was honored by the group Women of Color Empowered at a recent luncheon.

“This was an unexpected pleasure,” Franklin said. “What is remarkable to me is the number of young people striving to make our communities better and stronger. I’m thankful that the experiences and advice of some of us ‘elders’ can be put to use.”

Also among those honored were Martha Choe, director of the Global Libraries initiative for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange, vice president for minority affairs at the University of Washington; Dr. Constance Rice, managing director for prevention and family support at Casey Family Programs; and Pastor Patrinell Wright, founder of the Total Experience Gospel Choir.

Franklin, a retired nurse, is a member of the Washington State Nurses Association Hall of Fame. She has served the 29th Legislative District since 1991, when she was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives. She served a single term there before winning election to the Senate. The recipient of numerous professional and community awards, Franklin serves as vice chair of the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee, where she has championed affordable and accessible health care. She also serves as president pro tempore of the Senate.

Women of Color recognizes those who set the standard — or raise the bar — in their professions and communities through the mentoring of other women and men of color.

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