There are superheroes in our own community

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, October 16, 2019

In mid-August, The Seattle Times ran an article about how anyone could be an American Superhero. Author Natachi Onwuamaegbu wrote about the exhibit at UW Towers (through Oct. 3), in which people of many races, sexualities, gender identities and socioeconomic status — from drag queens to congresswomen — had their pictures taken in superhero costumes.

“Everyone has superpowers,” Onwuamaegbu wrote on Aug. 18, 2019.

Two decades earlier, in April 1998, the editor of The Beachcomber asked the question, “Who are our leaders?” The editor, who even provided a clip-out coupon to use to send in nominations for her list, was seeking to identify individuals who provided leadership here on Vashon, such as those who hold elected positions or owned businesses. At that time I responded with a commentary that was printed in The Beachcomber entitled, “Who is a leader in the community? You are!”

I believed then, as I do now, that our island’s leaders — our very own superheroes — are not just the folks in elected positions or heading up a business (though they would certainly be included); our leaders aren’t limited by titles or ownership. Vashon’s leaders — our superheroes — are all of those people who step forward to fill a need in our community, often on an ongoing daily or weekly basis.

I saw then that our island’s leaders are found nearly everywhere. “I think of us as a community filled with leaders,” I said in my commentary. “[They] point out opportunities for maintaining our beautiful lifestyle, add their voices and efforts to accomplishing numerous improvement initiatives, and do the right thing.”

The leadership research that I’ve participated in pointed to some requisite beliefs and behaviors that are common to great leaders. In my 1998 commentary, I talked about how leaders take responsibility — not the “have to” kind, but rather the “choose to” kind. Leaders can thus influence the directions in which we go. They refuse to be victims.

They also focus on building empowering beliefs in themselves and others by transforming debilitating beliefs about their own value (worthlessness), inability to do something (helplessness) or that they couldn’t make a difference (hopelessness). Through a leader’s positive view of self and others, these mental limits are transformed into a sense of self-worth, hope and capability.

Do you know about those three basalt pillars that are on the left side of the library — two are standing and one is fallen? This is the monument that we created honoring those islanders who died in Vietnam as well as those who served and returned. It was dedicated on November 14, 1998. Who was the “leader” who made that stunning stone sculpture and the tender dedication ceremony possible?

Was it Eric Ireland, who dreamed of it, and spent a number of years bringing the funding resources together? Or Alan Bradley, whose inspired design, long hours of carving and let’s-do-it attitude, actually built it? Or was it Vashon Park District board members who got the site approved, the Vashon Allied Arts board that agreed to handle the funds, Old John Croan, VFW Commander, and the VFW and Eagles members who carried the colors and fired the salute? Emma Amiad, who spoke of her service in Vietnam? Rick Skillman who read his moving poetry or Nancy Morgan who played her flute? Or all of them plus the rest of us who volunteered to carve, plan and participate?

I wrote about this show of Vashon leadership at its best 20 years ago, but look around now. Be it a cause, a conversation, a committee or a commission, whether at VCA, the park district, the senior center or anywhere on the island, Vashon people are there to make it happen.

They show up for schools, skate parks and parades, to shelter, to feed, to create safe space and preserve our island’s land. It took a community of leaders — of superheroes — to make the Vietnam Memorial and thousands more who create our best island experience today. I guess we are still “a bunch of folks who, together, don’t know any limits to what we can accomplish.”

— Sherene Zolno is a leadership educator on the island.