HERSTORY
"It is in the Shelter of Each Other that the People Live."
Irish proverb
Roots
Lee grew up on the ancestral lands of the Shawnee peoples, navigating between steel mill and farming communities in a 100% Christian area of western Pennsylvania's rust belt.
In this traditional, macho setting, schools closed on the first day of deer-hunting season so men could hunt. Women had few job opportunities. Here, religious, ethnic, or class differences loomed larger than race. 'Being American' often included hiding one's heritage. Prejudice towards (Catholic) Italian, Polish, Irish and Jewish descendants was common. These factors sparked her lifelong interest in reducing social inequities. |
A Funny Name
Lee is fortunate to know about her forbears. On her father's side, the Gray clan came from Scotland in the 1700's, others from Germany. The Demozenettes, on her mother's side, immigrated from France to Pennsylvania in the 1800's. Like many New Americans at the time, they shortened the family name, possibly to blend with Italian and Slavic neighbors (Mosina and Mozena), in the coal-mining town where they settled. As an adult, Lee resurrected the American-ized version of this surname since no male had been born to carry it on.
Mozena and Zena are feminine words that are pronounced differently, depending on your mother tongue and experience. Zena also means "girl" in Persian, Arabic, and Czech. This fits with her work that brings people (especially women) from different cultures together.
Mozena and Zena are feminine words that are pronounced differently, depending on your mother tongue and experience. Zena also means "girl" in Persian, Arabic, and Czech. This fits with her work that brings people (especially women) from different cultures together.
Strong Women Fight Back
Zena is also an homage to Lee's inspirational avatar- Xena, the 'Warrior for Good Princess'; a campy 90's TV show starring Lucy Lawless. Xena/Lawless played the rare role of a strong lead female fighter at a time when Hollywood discriminated against women even more than today; with fight scenes that were technically accurate and on par with her male counterparts.
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Priorities
Lee follows her code of 'thrival'- balancing career, community, and personal health. After family and friends, movement is my favorite after-work activity.
Lee taught Nia Dance for 20 years and Hatha yoga for 8. She's a certified instructor (RYT 200) of Iyengar style, and have studied Aikido and Tae Kwon Do. Yoga is a soft martial art. Iyengar emphasizes alignment and precision. Lee applies these same principles to serving clients. Right- headstands keep her positive through Pacific Northwest winters. |
Gratitude
Here are some of the community groups where Lee has donated time or expertise to over the years:
- Puget Sound Grant Writers Association- Training Committee
- Family Support Washington- Board Co-Chair
- North Seattle Family Support Center, Seattle
- South Cedar Park Neighborhood Coalition, Lake City, Seattle- Co-Chair
- Lake City, Seattle- Cedar Park citizens' park design project
- PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support), Seattle- group leader for 3 years
206.368.9608 | [email protected]
SEATTLE | BELLINGHAM | WASHINGTON | USA
DBE# D2F0023839 | WBE# W2F0023839
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