PORT TOWNSEND — Dott Kelly and Deborah B. Johnson were honored recently with the American Association of University Women Port Townsend’s 2011 Women of Excellence Award at a holiday luncheon at the Fort Worden State Park Commons.
Since starting the Women of Excellence award in 1996, AAUW Port Townsend has annually honored women who have contributed significantly to the status of women through paid and/or volunteer work in Jefferson County.
Founder, therapist
Kelly is founder, clinical director and therapist of Jumping Mouse Children’s Center in Port Townsend.
Jumping Mouse is a nonprofit organization that provides expressive mental health therapy for children.
“Expressive therapy is a way of exploring things that children can’t put into words,” Kelly said.
Founded in 1999, between 60 and 80 children and their families are seen at Jumping Mouse each year, at minimal or no cost.
Jumping Mouse is operated via grants, local funding and client fees that are determined by ability to pay.
“Dott is a visionary with the ability to nurse an idea from inception through its 10th anniversary,” said Carol Brannan, a child therapist who nominated Kelly for the award.
“She turned her dream into a reality by commitment, hard work and faith in the future.
“She is the best therapist I’ve ever worked with.”
Kelly’s advocacy for the safety of children has made her a force in court and with local children’s service agencies, the AAUW said.
Licensed practitioner
She is a licensed private practitioner in mental health; is trained in parent education and has facilitated parent groups, taught seminars at Antioch University, Seattle University and Evergreen College; and has facilitated workshops in child development and attachment.
She is an active member of the National Association of Counselors and Sandplay Therapists of America.
She has a master’s degree in child and family psychology with specialized training in adoption, foster care and abuse.
Johnson is Peninsula College’s dean of East Jefferson County Education at the college’s Fort Worden State Park campus.
Educational front line
“Deb has been on the front line of educational advancement in our community for 15 years,” said Matt Lyons, the director of the Jefferson Education Center who nominated Johnson for the award.
“Her tireless work has expanded local opportunities and enabled a generation of women and men to be better prepared for work, education and life.”
Johnson worked with Peninsula College and state officials to bring university and technical programs to east Jefferson County.
Move to park
Peninsula College emerged from a Port Townsend loft to an expanded facility on Quincy Street, followed by a move to Fort Worden State Park.
Currently, the Fort Worden location is under consideration to become a full branch campus of the college and the cornerstone of the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Initiative.
Johnson also has been active in local Big Brothers Big Sisters efforts and served as a big sister and member of the organization’s advisory committee.
Past winners
Past Women of Excellence honorees are Cheryl Bozarth (2010), Sally Robbins (2009), Judy D’Amore and Libby Palmer (2008), Eveleen Muehlethaler (2007), Anne Schneider and Sue Sidle (2006), Roberta Frissell (2005), Ruth Merryman (2004), Gay Eisenberger (2003), Pat Yearian (2002), Peggy Thompson (2001), Judith B. Gunter (2000), Katherine Baril (1999), Helen Brink (1998), Dr. Elmira K. Beyer (1997) and Ella Sandvig (1996).
Honorees receive personalized plaques and are listed on the Women of Excellence plaque on permanent display at the Port Townsend Public Library, 1220 Lawrence St.
The Port Townsend AAUW, with 208 members, is the largest branch of AAUW in the state, and includes members from Chimacum, Marrowstone Island, Port Hadlock, Port Ludlow, Port Townsend and Quilcene.
For more information, visit www.aauwpt.org.
