Mrs. Orr's Island for Mrs. Maine
Donation protected
When I was contacted by the contestant coordinator urging me to consider being a contestant for the Mrs. Maine- America pageant, I was quite surprised...actually, it was the last thing I was expecting to happen. This is a truly humbling and unique opportunity for me to dive even deeper into the issues that pull on my heartstrings and I am most passionate about. I will use this platform as Mrs. Orr's Island to continue to raise awareness, advocate, and support the basic needs of all living things, as social and ecological justice are inextricably linked.
Having experienced a car accident that almost took my life and required multiple surgeries and blood transfusions in 2004, it ignited a new life moving to Maine once I had recovered. There were some turns of events though along the way... Shortly after making the move from the Chicago area in January of 2005, I was unexpectedly thrown into homelessness at the age of 19. I was making $50 a week teaching Sunday school and a train-to-teach self defense class and couch-hopped and camped to avoid staying at the adult shelter(at the time there wasn't a women's shelter, and weren't enough beds at the teen shelter for anyone over 18).
I mention these experiences not for sympathy, but more to illustrate how these experiences have formed me, molded my perspective, and shaped the woman that I am today. These seemingly negative experiences catapulted me into a life of greater compassion and service to those who have faced similar or worse. I was fortunate to land a life-changing job just 6 months later in July of 2005 working as a phlebotomist for the American Red Cross, which is where I still work today, almost 13 years later as an Apheresis Specialist and Charge working with whole blood, platelet, plasma, and redcell donors. I have also been fortunate to be the co-director of the Barefoot Truth Dance Company since 2013, and own a small in-home studio, Harpswell Islands Studios, together with my amazing husband.
For seven of my 13 years at the Red Cross, I also worked per diem for Preble Street Teen Center and the Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter in Portland, after moving back from Burundi, Africa. I took an extended leave from the Red Cross in 2007 and 2008 to live and work in Burundi and travel in Rwanda and Congo. There I worked in the laboratory of a small neighborhood clinic, as well as worked with organizations promoting peace and reconciliation that worked on ways to break down cycles of oppression. I last returned in 2009, and plan to return to Rwanda this coming January.
Needless to say, I am not the traditional candidate for this position, but I am wholeheartedly committed to use this year of service to continue to support the organizations I have worked with in the past, and look forward to new partnerships. All donations are tax deductible, and sponsors will be advertised on my page in the pageant. I am also available for appearances, interviews, speaking events, and other creative ideas for sponsors. No donation is too small! Thank you for your support!!
Having experienced a car accident that almost took my life and required multiple surgeries and blood transfusions in 2004, it ignited a new life moving to Maine once I had recovered. There were some turns of events though along the way... Shortly after making the move from the Chicago area in January of 2005, I was unexpectedly thrown into homelessness at the age of 19. I was making $50 a week teaching Sunday school and a train-to-teach self defense class and couch-hopped and camped to avoid staying at the adult shelter(at the time there wasn't a women's shelter, and weren't enough beds at the teen shelter for anyone over 18).
I mention these experiences not for sympathy, but more to illustrate how these experiences have formed me, molded my perspective, and shaped the woman that I am today. These seemingly negative experiences catapulted me into a life of greater compassion and service to those who have faced similar or worse. I was fortunate to land a life-changing job just 6 months later in July of 2005 working as a phlebotomist for the American Red Cross, which is where I still work today, almost 13 years later as an Apheresis Specialist and Charge working with whole blood, platelet, plasma, and redcell donors. I have also been fortunate to be the co-director of the Barefoot Truth Dance Company since 2013, and own a small in-home studio, Harpswell Islands Studios, together with my amazing husband.
For seven of my 13 years at the Red Cross, I also worked per diem for Preble Street Teen Center and the Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter in Portland, after moving back from Burundi, Africa. I took an extended leave from the Red Cross in 2007 and 2008 to live and work in Burundi and travel in Rwanda and Congo. There I worked in the laboratory of a small neighborhood clinic, as well as worked with organizations promoting peace and reconciliation that worked on ways to break down cycles of oppression. I last returned in 2009, and plan to return to Rwanda this coming January.
Needless to say, I am not the traditional candidate for this position, but I am wholeheartedly committed to use this year of service to continue to support the organizations I have worked with in the past, and look forward to new partnerships. All donations are tax deductible, and sponsors will be advertised on my page in the pageant. I am also available for appearances, interviews, speaking events, and other creative ideas for sponsors. No donation is too small! Thank you for your support!!
Organizer
Whitley Nabintu Marshall
Organizer
Portland, ME
