North Bay Woman

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 53 need to increase our understanding of racial inequality and how it informs the decisions we make." 3 As a council member, what gives you the most satisfaction? "When we achieve an outcome that benefits everybody. We recently housed our 100th chronically homeless person. It helps that person and it helps the person on the street who has compassion. I do it because I like to build community. There's only an upside to having a strong community." 4 How did you acquire your leadership skills? "In high school was the first time. I tell girls I always sought opportunities for leadership. Sometimes they worked, and sometimes they didn't. It was OK to fail and learn from missteps. Leadership skills change over time. It's a lifelong process." 5 What are the current hot issues in Marin County? "San Rafael is the county seat of Marin County, and we share a lot of the same issues — homelessness, disaster prepared- ness and response, housing, maintaining a strong economic engine as retail changes. Elected officials are in a unique position, because they interact with different sectors. There's a lot of wisdom in our community." 6 Does the current divisiveness in national politics affect local government? "People trust their local government the most, and the reason for that is that we're non-partisan. I'm fiercely proud of being non-partisan. The second reason is that I'm part of the fabric of the community. People see me in the grocery store, in downtown San Rafael and at the park. I try to recognize the humanity in everyone. That's what will help us overcome the inflammatory comments." 7 How do you perceive the #MeToo Movement, and what can women do to encourage change? "We have to look at the role and accountability of men in our population and teach each other the importance of respecting each other. And women have to support each other. It means showing up when you're needed, standing up when you need to be counted and mentoring each other and bringing up people behind us. If we're doing those three things, we'll be giving each other the support and power to make the social change we want." 8 What don't people know about you that they'd find surprising? "I'm related to Amelia Earhart. Her grandfather was my great-great-great-great grandfather." 9 What advice do you have for other women who want to make a difference in their communities? "Find out what you're passionate about…and then how to do it. It's a heart thing, rather than a head thing. When you're passionate about something, you have an endless well of energy to keep going at it." 10 What do you see in your future? "The City of San Rafael was incorporated in 1874. In the inter- vening 145 years, we've never had a woman mayor. That's giving me something to consider." n Clockwise from left: Kate Colin handing out flyers - it was important that pedestrians and high school students who were headed to the buses knew that the SMART train was not going to sound its horn at the cross- ings; Colin at San Rafael High School with the Leadership club to gain student input on how local government could better engage with them; Colin at Terra Linda High School/Marin School of Leadership program. – Photos courtesy of Kate Colin 8

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