Meet Alisha Eastman!

A few weeks ago, during a WPIG retreat in Roslyn, I was fortunate enough to sit down and learn a little more about Alisha Eastman. Alisha was one of the six founding members of WPIG. She was drawn to the group because she liked the idea of a women’s organization focused on educating its members and giving back to the community. Alisha currently chairs the Marketing Committee, and as chair, she created our fantastic new WPIG website (http://www.wpigseattle.org).



After endless hours of hard work and dedication, Alisha will be graduating in December with her Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Eastern Washington University (Everett Campus). Her education doesn’t stop there though. Next, she will begin her training to become a Doula, and then she will start the three year process of earning her LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker License). With all of that education, I couldn’t help but wonder, what is her ultimate professional goal? Without hesitation, and with contagious enthusiasm, she tells me that her dream is to eventually open up a comprehensive services clinic where prenatal and postnatal women (and families) will have access to doulas, midwifes, pediatricians, counselors, and more. Although some years out, I have no doubt her dream will be realized, and I cannot wait to witness her future success.



Alisha with her niece & nephew



While her studies and work as a medical biller and elementary school tutor keep her busy, she still manages to find free time, and when that time arises, she enjoys spending it with her niece and nephew. To that end, she gave them each a coupon book filled with activities to do with auntie, and they are working on using each coupon - next up, bowling!

Just when I thought Alisha couldn’t get any more amazing, she divulged this final fun fact: Between 13-18 years old, Alisha arm-wrestled for the Washington State Arm-Wrestling Association. Because there were not many teens, she arm-wrestled in the women’s division; in 1998, she was both the Teenage girls and the Women’s Light Weight Washington State Arm-Wrestling Champion. In 1999, Alisha and her mom held a charity arm-wrestling tournament to raise funds for a teen homeless shelter, Teen Hope (no longer in business). Amazing!

What an incredible young woman, and I am so glad to be a part of WPIG with her!

Volunteering at Ryther Child Center

Every few months, the WPIG philanthropy committee organizes a volunteer opportunity. This month, WPIG planned and facilitated a night of fall and Halloween themed arts and crafts activities for the children living at Ryther Child Center. This is the second time WPIG has volunteered at Ryther. WPIG had a great time washing vans and cleaning up the Ryther campus this past summer. Ryther also happens to be WPIG’s charity of the year.

WPIG chose to support Ryther this year because of the essential work that Ryther does in our community.  Ryther Child Center offers and develops safe places and opportunities for children, youth and families to heal and grow so that they can reach their highest potential. Since opening 125 years ago, Ryther has become a recognized leader in providing and advocating for a comprehensive continuum of care and assistance for children, youth and families experiencing or at risk from neglect, mental illness, or emotional, physical, sexual and/or chemical abuse.  Learn more about Ryther here.