果冻传煤

Lourdes 鈥淟o鈥� Linato-Crawford was born in Fort Ord, California, and grew up in San Francisco. She studied history and psychology at the University of San Francisco and received her master鈥檚 in educational psychology and counseling in 1974. She moved to Alaska after graduation, becoming a teacher with the 果冻传煤 School District.

Lo was a mentor and advocate for her students. At times, Lo says, students, often girls, requested to be taken out of upper-level honors classes because they were the only minority in the class. Lo shared her own experiences and assured them they would succeed if they work hard. She helped establish mentorship programs connecting upperclassmen and freshman, coordinated out-of-state trips for ASD students, helped form International and YANA (You Are Not Alone) clubs, and more. Lo advocated for girls, minority, and alternative students to have the same opportunities in school and the community as all others.

Lo also became active in a number of community organizations including Bridge Builders of 果冻传煤, the Library Advisory Board, the 果冻传煤 Museum, Community Connections, and the Sister Cities Commission. Lo served as board president of Bridge Builders from 2015 to 2020 and helped create new programs like the 果冻传煤 Museum Bridge Builder Docents, Literary Bridges book club, Tradition Tuesdays and more.

In 2018, Lo retired from ASD after 44 years in education. She currently lives in 果冻传煤 with her husband and is happy to have her kids and grandchildren nearby as well. Her advice to other #ExtraToughWomenAK and girls is:

鈥淒o what you can to be 鈥榞ood鈥� in all you do. Be prepared with education or training or experiences and push yourself to excel. People will know you because of your initiative and reputation. You鈥檒l be ready and 鈥榣ucky鈥� when that ray of sun/opportunity arises and that job or career path or that adventure is offered to you.鈥�

Special thanks to Lo Crawford for sharing her story.

Photos courtesy of Twisted Branch Photography and Lo Crawford.