Sue: Growing up as an army brat gave me a love for travel and other cultures

Growing up as an army brat gave me a love for travel and other cultures, which was cemented by living in Mexico two years as a young woman. I wanted to be a nurse from age five and also obtained an MBA for a stint in the business world. But nothing was as fulfilling as volunteering. I consider myself a “Humanitarian Snowbird” – enjoying Seattle in spring and summer and working with Doctors Without Borders and other volunteer organizations during the winter.

The key for me came during a surgical trip to Pakistan – by comparison to girls and women there, I have lived a charmed life. I was born in a time and place that fosters independence, education, and freedom for women. I believe it to be my responsibility to give of myself for the many gifts that I have received through no merit of my own. While I am considered a strong woman, it’s these women who I believe are strong.

One Nurse At A Time, a non-profit organization I co-founded, grew out of frequent inquiries by other nurses, “How can I get involved and do what you do?” Our goal is to make it easier for nurses to use their skills to help people around the world, to lower the entry barriers, to increase public awareness of the role and contribution nurses make in the humanitarian world. In our 10 years, we’ve supported hundreds of nurses sharing their skills and knowledge with tens of thousands of people in need at home and abroad. I truly believe we CAN change the world.

We are a volunteer organization that supports medical missions and health education at home and abroad. Operating costs are kept to a minimum so every dollar donated goes to helping people in need.