About Barbara (Bobbi) Bennett-Wolcott

 

I am the youngest of four daughters, spending my formative years as the daughter of an apple orchardist in North central Washington. From this experience, I developed a strong work ethic at a young age. My parents differed in their political views: my father was a staunch Republican and my mother was a staunch Democrat. They modeled what civil discourse and healthy debate looked like. Even when they disagreed with one another, they continued to demonstrate mutual respect. My parents encouraged their four daughters to pursue careers that would provide a living wage and allow us to be independent. I am a lifelong eastern Washingtonian, only living outside the region when I was pursuing a graduate degree from University of Washington and when my husband was in active duty service in the Army.

 

I graduated from Washington State University with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1978. I worked as a staff nurse in Spokane until 1981 when I earned my first Masters of Nursing from UW. I worked as a staff nurse, nurse educator and in nursing management. I married in 1982; unfortunately, that marriage ended in divorce. Following my divorce, I moved back to Spokane working as a supplemental RN and as faculty at WSU College of Nursing. I was a single mother at this time and focused my energy on work and my daughter. My area of expertise has been women’s health and maternity care. I am a strong supporter and advocate for women’s rights.

 

I remarried in 1993 and left the nursing profession. My husband was also an RN and worked at military hospitals in Denver and Honolulu. When my husband completed his time in the military, we moved back to Spokane where he earned his advanced nursing degree in anesthesia from Gonzaga. In 2004, we moved from Spokane to Pullman. In 2010 I returned to the work force as a birth doula.  In 2013 I returned to school earning my second Master’s of Science in Nursing degree from Frontier Nursing University where I specialized in nurse-midwifery. I worked in Pullman Washington at a local clinic for approximately five years as the only certified nurse-midwife on the Palouse. During this time I went back to school and in 2018 earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. I am currently employed by WSU as a clinical assistant professor, working with their DNP scholars.

 

My hope, in running for this office is to bring open, honest communication back to the table. I believe rigid views without open dialogue can become closed dogma, and when there is no open communication, any relationship (even a political one) can become dysfunctional. I am not a politician. I am a concerned citizen who hopes to bring diplomacy skills and a sense of inclusiveness back to our congressional district. The divide between parties is wide and I fear it will become wider unless a unifier is elected.

 

Respectfully,

Bobbi