Volunteer Extraordinaire, Patty Barrier

Patty Barrier with her giant bouquet of flowers in honor of
her Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Award

Last night, a full contingent of friends and family attended the Junior League of Seattle May Celebration when Patty Barrier received her Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Award which recognizes outstanding community volunteer leadership.

I was one of Patty's supporters attending last night and was so pleased to be asked to introduce her.  In addition, Patty's support group also included husband, Jimmy Barrier and son Kjell Schei, Katerie Laughlin, Ken Hatch, Patti Payne, Susan Brotman, Pat Wallace, Betty Rubenstein, Debi Giannola, Tara Stepenberg, Micki Flowers, Kathy Randall, Marla Moss, Janet Grimley, Sheri Salo, Ellen Bakke, Karen Roed, Gail Richards and many others. 

Patty's remarks were personal and she was

Patty proudly sharing her "Follies" video.

excited to share the video of her tap dancing prowess from her earlier days in Junior League of Charlotte when she chaired their major fundraiser, "The Follies".  But her list of past leadership positions and committee served on in Seattle is even more impressive because of the depth and breadth of what she has supported from serving on multiple boards and supporting capital campaigns (Benaroya Hall, Leo K Theatre, Seattle Humane Society, etc.) to chairing fundraising Galas (Pilchuck Auction Gala, PNB Nutcracker Ball) to the adventure of bringing back a plane load of abandoned dogs and cats following Hurricane Katrina, to committee work in the primary areas of the arts (both visual and performing) and animal welfare and rights, but health, human and social services too.  

Her primary message to the Junior League members in attendance was her advice to "lead by being a good follower".  This fit perfectly with my introduction of her because I have always said that she is the BEST committee member that you could ever ask to have on your committee.  She steps up and offers to help, thinks of specific actions that should occur, and successfully executes them to make a difference on every committee on which she has ever been involved.  She really knows how to be a key player and valued committee member, even when she is not the leader.

We have worked on dozens of projects and committees together over the past 28 years since she arrived in Seattle and we became friends.  One of my favorite funny memories is when Patty and I worked together when I served as PONCHO President, and Patty being the good friend that she is, offered to chair the never-before-done PONCHO Garage Sale.  It was a huge effort that required dozens of volunteer hours as she sought donations from our entire network of friends and associates.  My favorite part of the story is when she cleaned out Jimmy’s closet, thinking she was getting rid of 2 dozen old shirts that looked just alike, when in reality, she took his just-back-from-the-laundry, never-been-worn, brand-new collection of shirts and sold them to raise funds for the arts!  Actually, my husband Ken still continues to complain about both Patty’s and my overzealous attitude during the PONCHO Garage Sale adventure, though Ken primarily lost only ultra suede jackets in leprechaun green and jack o' lantern orange from his closet (what a relief)!  

Consummate volunteer and leader – and amazing friend as well – I salute Patty for truly having made a difference in the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest and especially in the quality of my life.  She is one of those brilliantly shining stars that I treasure and I congratulate her on receiving this much deserved award.