VERMONT MAGAZINE Winter 2021 | Page 40

Molly on graduation day at Vermont Law School . able to hire a skilled workforce , I think Vermont can be a laboratory for rural America . And let ’ s face it , our economic future depends on our ability to keep a generation here , bring a generation back , and draw a new generation to Vermont . We have to be innovative , and rethink the Vermont that we want for each other and the Vermont that we want for the future . We must think beyond this pandemic and consider , for example , what the future of education looks like – as well as remote work . We also need to tell new stories of Vermont . Stories that promote our thriving culture of arts , music , and crafts , and an extremely diverse food economy . Vermont is vibrant . It ’ s sustainable . It ’ s forward-looking , resilient , and persistent . We always have been – and always will be .

But I also think we have to think beyond our borders and continue to recognize the ways Vermont has and can continue to lead nationally and globally , be it in responding to this pandemic or in rebuilding U . S . relations with the world . Vermont ’ s former senator George Aiken was on the Foreign Relations Committee and was a vocal advocate for bringing U . S . troops home from Vietnam . He often said “ you can do more with food and assistance than you can with bombs .” Today , Senator Leahy is the same way . For decades he has led the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State , Foreign Operations and Related Programs which sets the budget for the State Department and all U . S . foreign assistance . He has also been a tireless advocate for the protection of civil liberties on the Judiciary Committee . When I think of Vermont ’ s future , I see a Vermont that is sustainable and has found resiliency locally , but also serves as a model for the nation and brings its values and an openness to engaging the world .

Sherman : What is your general approach to problem solving ?

Gray : I think compassion is extremely important . We want compassionate leadership , and we want inclusive leadership . I ’ ve been observing Jacinda Ardern , the Prime Minister of New Zealand . She talks a lot about the question of “ How do you bring more voices into problem solving ?” I was always raised on the idea of “ listen twice , speak once .” It ’ s important to truly listen and to take the time to understand as many perspectives as possible . Recently , for example , I ’ ve started convening groups working to address broadband accessibility across Vermont . I want to understand the problems of those who are most impacted by the lack of internet access as well as the providers . The needs are diverse . There are people who need access to the internet because they ’ re struggling with online learning , remote work , telemedicine , or accessing public safety and health services . I think that it ’ s equally crucial to have multiple perspectives when addressing any

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