PORT TOWNSEND — Pat Teal is the 2023 Woman of Excellence for the Port Townsend branch of the American Association of University Women.
Teal was honored at the branch’s annual holiday luncheon in December.
Teal’s first job in Port Townsend was serving as director of the domestic violence spouse abuse program, which has now become Dove House.
Teal is a founding member of Disability Awareness Starts Here! (DASH), a local nonprofit that helps to improve community accessibility through education and advocacy.
She also chairs the board for the Peninsula Housing Authority, having been a board member since its inception and one of its predecessors, the Jefferson County Housing Authority, since 2005.
“She has a long-term commitment to making housing available to low-income residents,” according to an AAUW press release.
“She has also served as a member of local Accessible Community Advocacy Committee (ACAC), a state program promoted by the Legislature to help communities to be more welcoming and inclusive to persons with disabilities. Also, she is a member of the city’s Non Motorized Transportation Advisory Board, advocating the need for accessible streets, sidewalks and crosswalks.
“Recently she invited and organized city staff to review existing projects blindfolded in order to simulate a blind pedestrian’s experience,” the group said.
Nominees for the annual award are evaluated based upon the criteria of being a role model, change agent or teacher/mentor and upon their direct and positive contributions to the community.
Previous awardees include Judith Alexander, Siobhan Canty, Celeste Dybeck, Denise Winter and Jean Camfield.
