Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan Judith now resides with her husband Hank Thierry in Montgomery Village, Maryland - north of Washington D.C. She is the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator for the Indian Health Service (IHS). She is a Captain in the US Public Health Service. She has three grown children - Ben, Katie and David who are wonderfully independent, connected and playful. She wishes that for all children. Judy remembers growing up in a big extended family with many aunts and uncles and with marriage her sense of family grew. Women and children thrive in healthy families and in a culture that honors families. The IHS is a federal agency based on the constitution and laws made as part of treaties for land given up by tribes. Judith has made this her career for the past 25 years serving Tribes, urban Indians, Alaska Native villagers whose rich culture and heritage we can learn from, respect and emulate. Supporting women during their child bearing years and their infants and children is Judith's way to acknowledge them. Sometimes I get too busy and forgot what is really important. Telling a story slows me down and makes sense of things that otherwise would get lost or remain hidden. We live in the now and stories are like visitors from past (memories) and future (visions) that can make the present rich, lively and light. I grew up with stories from my father, in books and books I read with my children.
