November Member Spotlight: Grace McGrath

What do you do for work and what is your slash (aka what do you do in your free time)?

I work for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. In that role, I work on college student mental health. I also am a consultant for Pathfinders Nonprofit Consulting and a city council member on the Lewis & Clark County Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development Council. In my free time, I support local businesses most of the time that is getting takeout, go hiking, and walk around Helena exploring it. I also like to cook and watch documentaries.

How did you land in Helena?

I landed in Helena because of AmeriCorps. I never thought I would go west but I like it out here so far. It is different than NY but has its own cool personality.

What is the best piece of advice that you ever received – career-related or otherwise?

That you don't always have to be nice. For self identifying women this can be hard. It doesn't mean you aren't respectful but you don't have to be super nice, especially if it feels like a bad situation or you feel unsafe. This was mind blowing to me when I heard it. I have used it ever since.

When do you feel the most yourself?

When I am outdoors in nature or advocating on behalf of others. I feel connected to the world and part of something big when I am in nature. In terms of advocating I feel I am making a tangible difference to the world.

Where is the last place you explored and where do you want to explore next?

I last explored Mt. Helena. I have been on many paths on that mountain each are cool. Next I hope to go on a hike on Mt. Ascension. I have heard good things about it.

Tell us something about yourself that we didn’t ask:

In the future I hope to be a lawmaker because I think I could make a real difference. I don't have any specific position in mind but I just know something in either the state or federal government would be great.