Her petite stature belies the underlying strength and conviction with which Lucy Thoms-Harrington experiences life.  Indeed, on our initial meeting, I noticed her calm brown eyes and easy smile but these were accompanied by a presence that meant business.  It wasn’t a ‘get out of my way’ impression but rather an ‘I am here and we’re getting things done together’ presence.   For several years my encounters with Lucy were brief, (she was working full-time and then some with travel thrown in on a regular basis) however, this consistent strength and conviction to her belief system was apparent.  The truth was important to her.  Fair and equitable treatment for everyone was paramount.  And women’s rights?  Ask her a question or address something about women’s rights and the passion in her voice and the light in her eyes many times communicated more about how she felt than the words themselves. 

I have been fortunate to spend more time with Lucy in the past few years since she retired from her ‘real’ job and moved to consulting, though I would argue the tasks she tackles now are often more real to her than the job from which she received a paycheck.  She works with several nonprofits as well as the school district in our community making things better for those most in need.  The youth of our community, particularly young girls, have her heart but she also has time for the elderly and our retired service people, working tirelessly each year for the Veterans Stand Down event.  Every task, every fundraiser, every challenge I have witnessed her handle has been with grace, a can do attitude and unflagging energy.  I have learned much listening to and watching her navigate the landscape of community, nonprofits and large business.  She stands true to her convictions, cooperatively seeking solutions. For these reasons I asked Lucy to share with me some of the people and incidents that shaped who she is so that I might learn more about her.  

Lucy is from a family of six and not surprisingly one of the first events in her life that set her on the path she has taken was in observing her mother.  Here is the story as Lucy recounted it to me.   

My mom taking on the entire leadership at my high school.  Every year there was a sports banquet to honor all the athletes from any sport at the school.  My brother who was a football player was invited to attend and bring his family.  When the invitation came home my mother asked me if I was going to be honored at the banquet as part of the girls tennis team.  I told her no; the sport banquet only recognized male athletes, their teams and coaches.  That set in motion a fire storm of indignation and action.  My mom’s first stop was a conversation with Mr. Woodburn, the Athletic Director at the school (who was also the football coach and driver’s ed teacher).  My mom, all 5’2” of her demanded action of the 6’4” Woodburn.  These girls, their teams and their coaches have every right as any boy on any team to be honored and recognized.  The girls were, after all, competing for the school on their respective teams.  Mr. Woodburn said that’s the way it had always been and dodged the questions, referring my mom to Mr. Locke, the Vice Principal of the school.  

My mom called for an appointment and on the prescribed date and time, stormed the office armed with her research on the newly passed Title IX, equity for girls/women in sports.  She demanded that the athletic banquet honor all student athletes regardless of gender or sport.  When my family and I came into the cafeteria for the banquet that year, the entire girls sports program, the athletes and their families along with the coaches were honored along with the boys athletic programs.  I initially was embarrassed that my mom had made such an uproar and then I was ashamed that I had been embarrassed.  My mom  had the courage to challenge the status quo because it was simply the right thing to do.  It took a year or two but my embarrassment morphed into tremendous pride; I was proud to know that my mom had been a catalyst for change for all the girls in all the sports and their coaches at the school.  Most parents never knew what drove the change to include all athletes.  

Another event that stands out to Lucy which she shared with me occurred early in her career.  She was working in a field in which women in leadership were rare and found herself at a conference.  There were 500 people in attendance at this conference of which only three were women.  Of the three, Lucy was one.  Couple that with not knowing a soul and it is a rather intimidating experience.  At the break both of the other women reached out to Lucy offering assistance and ultimately becoming friends and mentors.  As Lucy stated, ‘This taught me wherever you are in life, at whatever juncture, you have an opportunity to positively shape someone else’s trajectory by simply reaching out and offering your hand.’  What a beautiful lesson and one that Lucy continues to share each day as she reaches out to and mentors the youth (and adults at times) in our community.  

Through the years Lucy has had the opportunity to witness first hand, injustices in the work place.  She has taken action to rectify these injustices, demonstrating her belief that it is important to bring the issues forward for clear discussion so change can be made.  And clear discussion it is as one of Lucy’s early lessons is that no one is a mind reader.  If you have a need or concern it needs to be clearly articulated to find resolution.  Letting others guess is not going to find a solution.  Other lessons Lucy cites are keeping your word and holding yourself accountable, being a positive role model for the youth in our community, advocating for others but also being courageous in your actions and willing to take risks. These are all things she continues to live by today and yet, in her own words, she is still evolving, still learning and growing from new challenges.  

When asked who her heroes were Lucy commented she had many.  From her maternal relatives that had fought for equal rights for both genders to Sally, who’s kind heart, self reliance and and independence endured as she faced challenge after challenge.  There are military heroes Jack, Gene, and Eddie she had the honor to work with or met through her work with the Veterans Stand Down. People within the community and coworkers like Pastora Maria, Pam, Maxine, Mary, Kathy, Robin, Tommy, Paul, Steve and Will as well as teachers Carolyn and Anna.  Lastly she spoke of the next generation. Her daughter Hope ‘who is a thought leader and role model for her generation’ and a young woman she knows, who while earning minimum wage, saved enough to donate $300 for YMCA scholarships to help those less fortunate.  

In closing Lucy stated ‘I wanted to share that I am defined by challenges and failures that I had to overcome.  I was lucky.  I was privileged not to be born into poverty or face the challenges that people of color are born into.  In my personal failures though, I find that you are stronger than you thought, braver than you had imagined and more resilient than you could have expected.  It’s these failures which force growth.  It is incumbent on all of us to do what we can for as many as we can for as long as we can.’

This is Lucy Thoms-Harrington; mentor, teacher, volunteer, community activist and one of my heroes.

Wishing you dear friend, many heroes in your life on your heartfelt journey. ~♥~