Raised on a
Danville
dairy farm, Kitchel hails from a large family. As one of the older siblings,
she says a strong work ethic was instilled at an early age. "In a big
family, everyone was expected to share and help out. Growing up, my mother
farmed full-time, so I often cooked meals for the whole gang." Kitchel
recently baked two cakes for her nephew's wedding and the reception for 300 that
followed.
Public life is a family trait. In the '60s,
Kitchel's mother Catherine Beattie served in the state legislature; father
Harold was a selectman in town; and her aunt, Alice Hafner, worked in child
welfare. “Public service is in our blood," says Kitchel. She
recently retired as secretary of human services after 35 years with the state
agency.
Kitchef worked her way to the executive branch
of state government, taking appointed positions under Governors Snelling, Kunin
and Dean. Though she is still a small town girl, her roots connect to a
statewide web of agencies and policy makers. She moves easily between
worlds, fluent in the language of farmers, business owners and lawmakers.
Kitchel's political interest blossomed in her
teens. In high school, she worked on Philip Hoff's campaign for governor
and attended President Kennedy's inauguration in
Washington
. Former U.S. Senator from Vermont Ralph Flanders (remembered as the first
to call for the censure of Joseph McCarthy) was a, personal friend of the
family. “Even though I grew up in a small town," she says, "we
still had an interest in the affairs of government. I was exposed to at a
young age.”
Kitchel graduated with a degree in history
from a women's Presbyterian college in
Pennsylvania
. Throughout her career in public service, Kitchel says she focused on
achievement and never felt limited by gender. "I had strong female
role models, so I never felt any hesitation about pursuing my interests."
Those who know her say Kitchel's not one to
talk about her contributions. But, whether it's organizing fundraisers for
the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium; cooking the Easter Breakfast at her
church; or stocking the salad bar at the Danville Fair with vegetables from her
garden, the community at large benefits.
She is an advocate for keeping smaller schools
intact and functioning as an integral part of the community. “Schools
bring the generations together," she says, "and people genuinely take
pride in the kids and their success. But schools don't exist in a vacuum.
It takes group effort to make students feel included and valued in the community
with sponsored activities after school and recreational programs.
It's worth investing in kids by sharing time
with them and showing we care. Supportive communities foster successful
people, but we still have a lot of work to do with our youth," Kitchel
says.
As secretary of the
Danville
chamber of commerce, she actively supports opportunities for small business.
"Local businesses are the cornerstone of' vibrant communities.
Danville
is a model for others that are working to revitalize their village centers.
Take
Groton
; it's wonderful to see what's happening there. It's a perfect example of
how we can preserve historical buildings and make them economically viable at
the same time."
Under Governor Dean, Kitchel worked on
healthcare initiatives targeting children, underinsured adults and seniors. She
designed the plan to overhaul the agency of human services. In addition,
Kitchel is credited with reforming
Vermont
's welfare program to a system that has replaced long-term welfare dependence
with job training.
An issue closest to her heart, is affordable
health coverage for all and the availability services that would allow seniors
and people with disabilities to stay at home and in their communities.
Kitchel remembers the communal effort it took to keep her father at home, and
she understands the need to provide services for caregivers so more seniors can
maintain their independence and age with grace.
Kitchel and her campaign canine, Sally,
continue their upbeat, energetic pace by getting out and meeting people.
My goal is to meet as many voters as possible. I’m doing my best, but
this district does present a challenge by the shear size of it.
With lawn signs popping up like mushrooms and
momentum building toward November, Kitchel’s spirits are high, and her
sentiments straightforward: “Good luck to all, and may the best man (or
woman) win."
—Source: The North Star Monthly. September 2004, Vol. 16, Number 5. Page 15.
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