MARY WIRTH:
WHERE I AM AND WHERE I'VE BEEN

When I look at where I am and where I've been, it never ceases to amaze me. Life is interesting, and God does work in mysterious ways. He's blessed me with a wonderful husband, who is a forester, and two incredible children. And, He has blessed me with skills and talents I never knew I had until I jumped into the arena of advocacy.

Marriage is a life-altering proposition under any circumstances, but for me it determined my professional destiny as well. For to love a forester; to live in a beautiful, forested, rural timber town; and to be a person of principle, left me few options other than to jump in with both feet and protect what I loved when all were attacked.

Being an "activist" for any cause simply involves being active. The focus is on communications and getting your views heard. The avenues to do so are unlimited. I began with a letter to the editor and am now involved in visiting legislators, school visits, building coalitions, writing articles, public speaking, and motivating others, like you, to do so as well. For numbers do matter, and every number begins with one, and grows one by one. If all in the forestry community spoke out, we would be heard loud and clear.

I believe in what I do from numerous perspectives. I believe the people who make up the forest products industry are decent, hard-working people who deserve to be heard. I believe in the science of forestry and the need for good forest management, including harvesting. I believe all people are special gifts from God, not a blight on the world, and natural resources are a God-given resource. And, I believe in the freedoms and liberties our founding fathers, and many after them, fought for. These are the things I fight for everyday, and I am proud to do so. I believe that what I do makes a difference, and I believe you can make a difference too.

Mary Wirth: 103303.2041@compuserve.com

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