Theologian Albert Schweitzer wrote, "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
Duluth City Councilor Barb Russ is one of those people.
Years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Russ through some political work we were both doing. I admired how she provided safe shelter to children through her life as a foster parent. This spoke to me as an educator. She opened her heart and home to children who needed affirmation of their beings and a rekindling of their spirits.
In my work throughout the Duluth school district, I often wrote and had kids write affirmations to each other. The simple power of a kind word can be transforming for our youth. Russ transformed countless young lives.
Russ, who is running for re-election Nov. 7, has carried that flame of hope throughout her life and work, giving voice to our voiceless populations. Her vision of creating a Duluth that is full of opportunity for all through a pragmatic approach is the Duluth we all envision.
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Ed Crawford
Duluth
