Elizabeth Robinson 2011

Elizabeth grew up in a small town on the East coast of the U.S., spending summers in southeast Montana. Learning about the larger world has been an astonishing process, begun with a year out of college spent as a volunteer working with the American Friends Service Committee projects in Mexico. Elizabeth also completed a five-year Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, followed by work as an instructor and supervisor of surgical nursing at the Red Cross School of Nursing in Caracas, Venezuela, which gave her great insight into some of that part of the world. Later, work as a field nurse with county health departments provided further awareness of areas in Arizona and Oregon.

Elizabeth reflects on her life experience by saying, “During my time as a county health nurse, it was my privilege to serve on various health related service organization boards and to participate in many courses of study relating to, and affecting my role with them, especially with the local mental health services advisory board and the state mental health association. If not for the ‘mishap’ of falling in love with a former high school classmate who was single-parenting two small boys, I would have completed my final coursework at Southern Oregon University and obtained an interdisciplinary Master of Art degree. Thus was my early retirement from academe precipitated!”

Wanting to be of service to the Co-op, this vital heart of the Ashland community, has moved her to volunteer her time to work with our board of directors.