Video recording of Dawn Lucien, Civic Leader for government, arts, education, and waterways, from the 2014 WILLO Storytelling Festival.

Video recording of Cindy Niemi, MultiCare Health Foundation, Major Gifts Officer, from the 2014 WILLO Storytelling Festival.

Video recording of Ha La, Giaudrone Middle School Student, from the 2015 WILLO Storytelling Festival.

Video recording of Miriam Barnett, CEO of the YWCA of Pierce County, from the 2017 WILLO Storytelling Festival.

Video recording of Tad Monroe, Consultant, Organizer, Storyteller, from the 2017 WILLO Storytelling Festival.

Video recording of Erin Guinup, Singer and Conductor, Founder of Tacoma Refugee Choir, from the 2018 WILLO Storytelling Festival.

Video recording of Amanda Figueroa, Senior Director of Student Transitions & Success, University of Washington Tacoma, from the 2019 WILLO Storytelling Festival.

As part of the many advocacy and community activities the committee conducted is a writing contest for Hilltop students. Prizes were awarded and a presentation of the winners was shared at the Tacoma City Council meeting on October 16, 2018.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Charlie Best conducted by dindria barrow on June 30, 2023. In this interview, Charlie shares his interpretation of “home” and how it has defined itself over his lifetime. To paraphrase: Home changes according to the different iterations of “self” and knowing who you are. Charlie is very conscious of how we use masks in our public and work lives. Thus, home is a place where you can be yourself and is a place that you choose, not just a place that is given to you. As the Education Manager of The Rainbow Center, Charlie’s role allows him to share his story of identity. After dealing with many personal struggles, living in the present is now a consistent daily goal for Charlie.

Oral history interview with Tacoma residents Alicia Rodriguez and Maria Presiado conducted by dindria barrow on March 11, 2023. In this interview, Alicia and Maria, members of the Lantinx Unidos of the South Sound (LUSS) Promotoras, share their lives, purposes, and dreams in Spanish. They explain how they came to the United States, how they became LUSS Promotoras in the work that they do, and what they hope for their family’s and community’s futures.

Dan Mandeville holds a sign reading, "Women's Rights Human Rights," with Melissa Ford standing beside him.

"I just feel like we’re in scary times right now where a lot of white men are controlling the narrative and, um, I’m happy to be here today to kind of speak up" - Melissa Ford
"And a lot of people, even, even with current restrictions being passed people don’t even know that they’ve happened in their state and they’re not finding out until they go to go for treatment and find out “Oh, you’re not eligible because of this law that’s been passed.” And people just, people just don’t know what’s been going on and I don’t know, I think the more – we just need to speak up and make sure that people know what’s happening." - Dan Mandeville

Kels Howerton holds a sign reading, "Safe, accessible abortions for all genders."

"I think it’s also important to remember that all genders can have abortions and while it does primarily affect women, um, to include trans people and non-binary people in that. I personally use they/them pronouns and I think it’s really important to remember how many people are affected. I love so many people who have gotten abortions, and it would have drastically changed their life if they were forced into pregnancy. So I think I’m here just because I want us to be a community that takes care of one another and um, fights for one another, so that we can all be freed."

Melody Hennigh holds a sign reading "Protect safe, legal abortions."

"As I explained to my five-year-old, we are sticking up to bullies."

Photo description from Vanna Sing:

When taken: 1980s and 2000s
Where taken: Eastside, Salishan
What memory is contained in these photos? Vanna Sing's childhood in Salishan and Eastside; Growing up in Salishan, spiritual healing. 43 year old survivor from the country of Cambodia. Roots are from SE Asia, Cambodia, Thai, and Laos. Our family escaped the Khmer Rouge in 1978 In July 1979, we entered United States. Our sponsors were from Mineral Wells, Texas. Trying to adapt to the American culture was a struggle. Through the word of mouth, Tacoma, Washington was the place to be. 15 families migrated to Tacoma, WA. We first arrived in Hilltop, Tacoma, around St. Joseph hospital area. We spent a year here. Tacoma Housing Authority supported refugees by providing rental assistance. Department of Social and Healthy Services gave us TANF, food stamp, and medical.