RMNAAFA Member Spotlight: Patti Kelly
This member spotlight columns is By Angela Dutro.
In the last couple of years we have had the pleasure of learning a little
bit about each of our members through the Member Spotlight. We have our own
Patti Kelly to thank for her investigative reporting! Unfortunately,
we have run out of willing subjects. Well, almost! You will see new
Member Spotlights occasionally as we gain new members but it will no longer
be in every newsletter. And now, it is my pleasure to write this long overdue
article.
Patti was born on July 26 in Pueblo. Colorado. Patti, the second of four
children. has lived all over the United States, including New Mexico, Arizona,
Illinois, Montana, Kansas and California.
After graduating from high school, Patti went to Wichita State University
where she earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. She moved
back to Colorado soon after earning her degree and married a Denver native
who also attended Wichita State University. She is now divorced and has no
children; but says her younger brother has more than made up for that since
he's provided her with nine nieces and nephews!
Patti has enjoyed an active career in dental hygiene, serving local, state
and national offices of the American Dental Hygienist Association (ADHA).
As a delegate representing Colorado for several terms, she has had the chance
to attend many national conventions where the House of Delegates is held.
One of the National committees Patti served on was in charge of the ADHA
Annual Session. setting up speakers, making hotel arrangements and coordinating
it all with the ADHA staff. She served as chairperson on this committee for
two years, affording her many trips to Chicago where it was based.
Patti found out about NAAFA from an ad in a BBW friendly publication and
was thrilled when she got a call from RMNAAFA founder JeanMarie Olivieri
saying that she was starting a local chapter! At first, Patti was mostly
interested in the social aspects of a local chapter but her interest in RMNAAFA
expanded and she ended up serving the chapter first as co-chair then treasurer
and now as a regular contributor to the newsletter. She says her background
with the ADHA has proven helpful in her roles with RMNAAFA.
One of the most familiar faces at RMNAAFA functions, Patti has generously
donated her time (and her clubhouse!) to make many of our events a success.
She truly enjoys the time she spends with her fellow NAAFAnS, especially
if it involves swimming! (As a regular swim buddy of Patti's I can tell you
we are always trying to figure out how to sleep in the water without drowning
so we never have to get out!) She is grateful. she says, for how much NAAFA
has helped her grow and also for the knowledge and friends NAAFA has added
to her life.
The Member Spotlight
column is the work of Patti Kelly (well, except this one).
Return to the main page of Rocky Mountain NAAFA.