Are you listening? The Untold Story Project offers hope and healing as employees share their untold stories of racism and visions of a more equitable future
Kelly Westhelle, Wastewater Treatment Division
The Untold Story Project is launching its 2019-2020 program. Employees of color are encouraged to submit their untold or unheard stories of racism or vision for a more equitable future here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/untold-story by August 30, 2019. All submitted Untold Stories will be posted at www.untoldstoryproject.blog. Stay tuned for an announcement on performance dates later this year.
Pictured: Employees present at the Untold Story Project performance at Wing Luke Museum in Seattle on November 13, 2018.
I believe storytelling is foundational to the human experience. Stories bridge time across generations, and bridge space by linking different communities and cultures. Stories teach us about life, the world around us, the people around us, and ourselves.
I also believe that with diversity comes resilience, and that all people deserve an equitable chance at success and happiness. Before the Untold Story Project, when I thought about my community—both in workplace, and in my personal life—and the inequities that exist locally and in the country at large, I was quickly humbled. I had a lot to learn about everyone I live, learn, and coexist among. I wasn’t sure where or how to start, but when I heard about the ESJ Literary Arts Program’s Untold Story Project, a door opened.
The Untold Story Project offers a space for King County employees of color to respond to the question, “What’s Your Untold Story of Racism?” from the workplace, childhood, or daily life. This year, in its second iteration, employees are also invited to share their visions of a more equitable future. The Project is sponsored and supported by the Solid Waste and Wastewater Treatment Divisions.
Submitted untold stories are published on a dedicated blog, and selected stories are performed live by the authors, or by local artists on their behalf.
Last fall, when I attended the live performance at the Wing Luke Museum, the room was heavy, gripping—the stories, brought to life, fully demonstrated the unifying power of expression. Following the performances, I was inspired when the stories cracked open difficult conversations about race, and foster a space for healing and genuine connection in our workplace community.
Pictured: Poet/artist Natasha Marin facilitating discussion at the Untold Story Project performance at King County Elections Office in Renton on September 20, 2018.
We can all stand to benefit by slowing down, being fully present, and listening—to better understand those we see and work with everyday, and to forge linkages with those we don’t. Through connection there is support, and with support we can raise each other up, toward equity.
Are you listening?
For questions about the Untold Stories Project, if you would like assistance, or prefer an interview for your story, please contact Julia Yen at JYen@kingcounty.gov or Tristen Gardner at TGardner@kingcounty.gov.
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Featured Job: Elections Worker (Temporary)
Salary: $19.87 – $21.90 Hourly
Location: WA 98057-2906, WA
Job Type: Short Term Temporary, Part Time, Std Wkly Hrs Vary
Department: KCE – King County Elections
Job Number: 2019RL09940
Closing: Continuous
King County Elections (KCE) manages voter registrations and elections for more than 1.3 million voters in King County, the largest vote-by-mail county in the United States. KCE’s mission is to conduct fair, open and accurate elections. As a leader in providing inclusive elections, KCE is focused on three key priorities – (1) actively identifying and working to remove barriers to voting at both the individual and community level, (2) strengthening relationships with community and governmental partners, and (3) creating a culture of professional growth and development, openness and inclusion. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx
We are recruiting to create a roster of skilled temporary employees who will work in seasonal temporary positions in various work groups within Elections. These positions will perform a variety of duties necessary to support the administration of the Primary Election in King County. Specific job duties will vary based on the needs of the Elections Department. Training is provided to perform assigned work.
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
Dear fellow King County employee,
King County Executive Dow Constantine
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in our nation.
We have come a long way since this landmark event, yet many LGBTQ+ Americans continue to experience discrimination and fear in their personal and work lives.
Here in King County we are dedicated to being a welcoming, inclusive community.
In 2012, King County became the first jurisdiction in the nation to enact marriage equality based on voter approval, and one of my proudest moments as County Executive occurred just after midnight on Thursday, Dec. 6 of that year, when I issued the first marriage licenses in Washington state to same-sex couples.
In July of 2017 in response to the Federal administration’s transgender military ban, I issued Executive Order CPM-11-2-EO, to ensure that King County veterans programs and assistance would be available to any transgender service member discharged due to the federal government’s stated policy of excluding patriotic transgender Americans from military service.
Our message is clear: whether you’ve just arrived in King County or you’ve lived here your whole life, whether this is the first day of your King County career or you’re a long-time employee, this is your home. You belong here.
This Sunday I will march alongside hundreds of our King County colleagues, family, and friends in the Seattle Pride Parade in support of LGBTQ+ rights, and you are invited to join us. And this Thursday at 1 p.m. on the Administration Building Plaza, I will raise the Pride Flag over the Administration Building. If you are at lunch or on a break, you are welcome to join me.
You may have heard me discuss what I call our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Of course we have many more barriers to break down if we are to reach this goal. The events at the Stonewall Inn 50 years ago, and the prejudices that LGBTQ+ people continue to battle today, remind us why we must remain steadfast in our work to create a truly welcoming, inclusive, just community, and nation.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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New-look Pride Flag debuts
As LGBTQ+ Pride Month comes to a close with the 45th annual Seattle Pride Parade this weekend, King County will again hoist a flag in celebration and solidarity. As you’re able, please join Executive Constantine and your fellow employees, Thursday, June 27, at 1 p.m. on the Administration Plaza for a flag-raising ceremony. This year, we’ll be debuting a new version of the flag.
The “Progress” Pride Flag was designed by Daniel Quasar of quasar.digital and shared under a Creative Commons license. This new design is an evolution of the traditional six-stripe rainbow flag, and is meant to be more representative of the entire LGBTQ+ community. It adds five stripes on the left, arranged as forward-pointing arrows. The white, light pink, and light blue stripes represent transgender and non-binary people. The black and brown stripes symbolize communities of color. The black stripe also honors the lives lost to HIV/AIDS. A Kickstarter that ran in 2018 garnered more than 500 supporters to make the new design a reality.
“The initial idea was important because I felt like I could bring something to the table when it came to the way the [Pride] flag was shifting within the community,” Quasar said in the Kickstarter. “We still have movement forward to make. There still is work to be done. I wanted to highlight that.”
King County is proud to fly this new Progress Pride Flag over our facilities, including our Metro Transit bus bases. We are also proud to walk as One King County in the Seattle Pride Parade on Sunday, June 30 at 11 a.m. You, your family, and your friends are welcome to join us!
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Personnel Board Ballots are in the mail!
If you are a career service employee you are eligible to vote for the open position on the King County Personnel Board. The Personnel Board conducts hearings on appeals of certain county personnel actions. It’s made up of five members, one of which is elected by county career service employees.
Eligible employees will be mailed a ballot to their home address on June 13 and ballots must be returned to King County Elections by 4:30 p.m. on June 25. Ballot packets will include a return envelope with prepaid postage or employees can drop them in the ballot drop boxes at either the King County Administration Building, King County Election Headquarters in Renton, or the Regional Justice Center.
This year there are two candidates for the elected position. More information about the candidates and the election can be found online If you do not receive your ballot by June 18 or if you have questions about the election, contact King County Elections at 206-296-1608 or elections@kingcounty.gov.
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Reminder: Register for free showing of “The Most Dangerous Year,” June 25
In honor of Pride Month, King County employees will have an opportunity to watch and discuss the film about the anti-transgender legislation in Washington in 2016 and the journey of many Washington families with transgender children. The Seattle writer and director, Vlada Knowlton, will be on hand for the discussion.
The movie supports the Executive’s priority of advancing equity and social justice within County government and in partnership with communities.
Tuesday, June 25 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Chinook Building Room 121, 401 5th Ave., Seattle
This event is free, but seating is limited. Please RSVP here via Eventbrite.
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Juvenile Court Judge Michael Diaz talks about his work, his priorities, and having nearly 20 Peruvian aunts and uncles
The court’s bench is becoming more diverse. We have three judges fluent in Spanish. One is Judge Michael Diaz. His story and his passion for Juvenile Court is the subject of our the latest installment of “15 Minutes with….” Listen now.
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Executive’s Small Business Awards now accepting nominations
Nominations for the 2019 King County Executive’s Small Business Awards are open through July 15, 2019. To be eligible for consideration, a business must meet the following requirements:
- Be located in King County
- Have 50 or fewer employees
- Be a for-profit business in operation for at least 3 years
- All past winners and 2018 finalists are ineligible for nomination
Nominate your favorite local small business by July 15 at www.kingcounty.gov/smallbiz
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Pet of the week: Chester
Chester is a 13 ½ year-old, male, shorthair, orange tabby cat (A480900). His personality color is RED, meaning he is a spirited cat with a fun-loving personality. Chester is an affectionate lovebug who definitely does not look or act his age! With his luxurious orange coat and his loving nature, this boy is sure to win you over. Chester loves pets and although he can be prone to getting overstimulated, he will give you a friendly swishy tail alert to let you know when he’s ready for a break. Read more.
To see this pet and view other animals available for adoption, visit www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet.
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County employees graduate from women’s leadership program
Pictured: Lluvia Ellison-Morales, Elizabeth Soltero, Stephanie Lucash and (Kelly) Tuyet Dang (DNRP) at the NW Women’s Academy.
Six King County employees graduated on June 7 from the first-ever NW Women’s Leadership Academy, sponsored by the Washington City-County Management Association:
- (Kelly) Tuyet Dang (DNRP)
- Stephanie Lucash (DES)
- Lluvia Ellison-Morales (DES/RALS)
- Lorraine Patterson (DNRP)
- Brandy Rettig (DLS)
- Elizabeth Soltero (DES/RALS)
“We’re proud to have so many King County employees graduating from this program,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “King County is committed to equity, including providing abundant opportunities for women in leadership.”
Read more from DES Express
Employee News 