PULLMAN, Wash. — Charmaine Mandell of Colfax is Washington State University’s 2001 Woman of the Year. The author of “Remember Tomorrow: A Woman’s Companion” was recognized for her professional and volunteer careers at a campus-wide recognition luncheon March 29 as part of Women’s History Month.
Mandell has emotionally supported foster parents, girls in alternative schools, women in shelters, and women and mothers in correctional facilities.
Numerous times, she spends days in filthy surroundings with drug-addicted women “gaining their trust,” then driving them to rehabilitation facilities, her daughters said in their nomination. During a cold and wet November, she lived on Seattle streets to comprehend why women choose that lifestyle. Last year, while volunteering in Mexico, she raised funds for a girl to attend secondary school and the University of Guadalajara. In South Africa, one of her daughters saw Mom bathing and comforting children with AIDS and educating their mothers.
Mandell is driven by her vision. “When we remember tomorrow, we make wise choices today” is her theme. She says her life puzzle contains three pieces: foster parents, incarcerated mothers and their confused children. Each day, she works toward sharing the vision of her life’s theme.
“This nomination represents a sincere thank you to our mother from her daughters and the hundreds of other daughters she influences by her loving spirit,” the nominators said.
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