By Theresa Edwards, Intern.
Meet Noel Frame, a hardworking and friendly candidate for the 36th district house seat recently vacated by retired Representative Mary Lou Dickerson (D-Seattle) who has worked since her teens for progressive change in public policy and civil rights.

The Ballard News-Tribune recently met with the Ballardite to talk about the race and the crowded pool of candidates, including politician's son Brett Phillips, legislative aides Evan Clifthorne and Sahar Fathi, Port Commision President Gael Tarleton, and longtime political activist Linde Knighton.

Frame was raised in Battle Ground, Wash, in the southwest corner of the state. The daughter of restaurant workers, she experienced firsthand the struggles faced by many working families today.

Always a strong believer in the "American dream” involving perseverance and hard work, Frame was determined to attend her dream college, George Washington University, and managed to win 13 various scholarships by the time she was a senior year of high school.

While in Washington, D.C., Frame gained valuable political experience before moving back to the Pacific Northwest.

Since her return, Frame has worked on Senator Maria Cantwell’s legislative team, was the Deputy Campaign Manager on Approve Referendum 71 (to expand civil and domestic partnership rights), and is one of the founding members of the Washington Bus, an organization that helps youth become more civically engaged.

Currently, Frame works to recruit and elect progressive candidates as the Washington State Director of Progressive Majority.

Frame herself started campaign work at age 19, and today volunteers at youth events for the Washington Bus that help provide a platform for young people’s voices.

As the foster parent to her 13-year-old cousin, Frame is all too familiar with the problem of poorly-funded public schools. Education is one of Frame’s top priorities. She realized as a high school student a need for systemic change through the political system, and envisioned herself helping to make some of those changes.

“Education is an investment that we make as a community,” she explained. “I absolutely believe that all kids should have equal opportunity for success.”

In addition to fully funding K-12 education, Frame supports investing in career and technical institutions, especially in aviation and aerospace programs.

She said, “There is no question about the interconnectedness of investment in our public education systems and the local economy. When local companies like Microsoft and Amazon are hiring and these jobs are not going to local people because we’re not producing enough bachelor’s degrees in hi-tech fields, there’s a big problem with our public policy.”

Frame also hopes to represent the interests of the 36th district by supporting marriage equality, women’s health care, and preservation of the environment.

She has been a champion for LGBTQ rights and same-sex marriage to provide couples with economic security and meaningful recognition of their partnership. As a legislator, she would support the restoration of funding for family planning and women’s health resources. Finally, Frame recognizes the importance of environmental cleanup, especially addressing pollution and storm drain runoff, to maintain the Puget Sound ecosystem.

One of seven candidates for the house seat, Frame has earned endorsements from the Washington Education Association and American Federation of Teachers, in additional to other groups and individuals. Governor Chris Gregoire, who praised her advocacy for new state revenues to support public education, also recently endorsed her.

For more information on Frame Frame, her campaign and a full list of endorsements, please visit http://noelframe.com/.