by Sharon Abrahams

I met with Kate Sweeney on Thursday, Oct. 4^, at the Edgewood Café. My first question for her was who exactly is Kate Sweeney and how would she define herself. Her answer was “in motion.” Apparently, Kate is always busy and always has something to do.

She explained that she was born in Minneapolis, the youngest of four children, but grew up in St. Paul. She lived in St. Paul until she was in her early twenties. She then decided to relocate to San Francisco where a couple of friends from college had an apartment. Twenty-one years later Kate moved across the country to Hoboken, New Jersey, where another very good friend lived. It must have been karma because Kate ended up marrying her friend’s brother. Once she and Stephen were married they moved to Holland, PA, and then subsequently to Yardley.

I asked Kate if she has travelled to any foreign countries. She said that she has done “lots of travel”, mostly with Stephen. Europe, Great Britain, Southeast Asia, Morocco, and Japan were some of the places she named. Japan was one of her very favorite countries to visit.

We talked about Kate’s profession. She explained that while she had a B.S. in early childhood education, she also spent five years substitute teaching.

I asked Kate about hobbies as well as what she likes to do in her spare time. She is very involved in volunteer activities and specifically named Cops and Kids and AAUW events and projects. She also loves to listen to jazz. What particularly was poignant about her answer was that she listed maintaining friendships as being very important in her life.

Kate initially heard about AAUW from her sister-in-law who belonged to AAUW for years. As a result of the many positive things that Kate heard about it, she knew she had to join as well. (We’re all very glad that she did.)

One of my favorite questions to ask at these interviews was “What do you wish people knew about you? And what special talents do you have?” Kate’s answer was that though she’s particularly interested in politics and religion, they are two subjects she keeps private and prefers not to discuss. As to special talents, she enjoys writing. She explained that it’s a “real way to express” herself. “It’s therapeutic and creative.”

I asked Kate what makes her happy, what makes her sad, and what makes her angry. Her answers once again were very poignant. She said that being included makes her happy. Not being included makes her sad. Small-mindedness makes her angry.

Kate then was asked if she could have one wish come true of a personal nature, what it would be. And if she could have one wish come true for society, what it would be. Kate’s response to the question regarding herself, was “an easy departure.” Her response to the question regarding society was that “everyone would have enough.”

I decided that starting with this interview, and all future ones, I would end the interview with a fun question. So Kate was asked if there is any food that she absolutely hates and that other people like. Her answer was “mushrooms.”