Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen • August 2017 | Page 5

a statewide awareness and
advocacy walk across Florida- 1,500
miles from Key West to Tallahassee-
called the “Walk in My Shoes”. Our
tireless work has helped shape
and change Florida law to support
survivors and protect children from
predators. I created Lauren’s Kids
because I intimately understand that
it shouldn’t hurt to be a kid- but all
too often, it does. We must do all we
can to protect children.
What inspired you to run for office?
BOOK: Through my advocacy with
Lauren’s Kids, I saw that real and
lasting change comes in many
forms. But I saw firsthand that lasting
systematic change can be achieved
through legislative advocacy. When
I was 18, the Florida Legislature
enacted change related to victims of
crime and our rights to information
that had an incredible impact
on my life, and the lives of many
others. From that day forward, I was
engaged-working with lawmakers
to shape laws to protect children,
support survivors of sexual assault,
and keep predators at bay. I ran
for office in order to continue and
expand my impact, and to help
make Florida a better place to live,
work, retire, or raise a family. I felt
that the service I could render to
my state was best done through
ongoing legislative advocacy. I know
what it is like to stand outside the
chamber and impact change, and
felt that being inside that chamber
would allow me to better serve our
state and the people who call Florida
home.
What is your educational
background?
BOOK: University of Miami, B.A.,
Elementary Education, 2008
Educational Honor Society University
of Miami, M.S. in Education, 2012 Iron
Arrow Leadership Society. Masters in
Community Psychology and Social
Change with a focus in non-profit
development.
What are you currently reading?
BOOK: Oh my, pending bills and
background information on bills I
want to sponsor this year. Not exactly
light reading, but a necessity of
lawmaking. I am also reading Good
Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena
Favilli and Francesca Cavallo.
What is your favorite movie?
BOOK: I don’t know if I can choose
a favorite, but I am a documentary
junkie.
Do you have any “guilty pleasure”
TV Shows?
BOOK: Scandal or Blue Bloods!
What is your business philosophy?
BOOK: Work hard. Work harder than
your competition. Play fair, but don’t
let anyone take advantage of you.
What are your hobbies or interests
outside of work?
BOOK: I am the mother of infant
twins. What’s a hobby?
If you could have dinner with
anyone, living or deceased, who
would it be and why?
BOOK: Maya Angelou, who showed
me the power of finding and using
your voice. Also, Lucille Ball.
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AUGUST 2017 • DITCHMEN
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