By MARY NADER
Contributing writer

There was a time when child-protection laws required the abused child be removed from the home. A traumatic situation became worse for the confused, scared child who then lost any stability he or she once had.

Today, the perpetrator is removed and the child can remain at home.

This is just one of the ways that Ardis Morrow has had a hand in making the world trustworthy for our children.

Throughout her 90 years, Morrow has consistently been a voice for the voiceless. She has rarely considered her own contentment and comfort because she is too busy making life better for others, dedicating her life to education, public policy and ending the plague of domestic violence.  These are the values that underpin this life of service and dedication — and those years look very good on Morrow.

She was lucky enough to have the powerful example of two kind and loving parents who thought of others first.

“Even when times were hard, my parents cared for their workers on the farm like they were family,” she said.

She was raised in a home where generosity and concern for the common good was taught and expressed through action.  These values have guided her throughout her life.

She didn’t start out imagining herself in public life — she is just the kind of person that sees a problem as an opportunity to make things better and does her part.   For example, as she and her husband began their family, they wanted the best education possible for their children, and they knew that one way to do that was to get involved.  She worked vigorously to improve standards and make schools a priority for all legislators and local leaders.

“Education is the key for everything,” Morrow said, “and I didn’t mind reminding newly elected leaders of this.” She served for several years on the North Kitsap School Board.

As her children entered high school, Morrow began to work in the real- estate profession, spending over 20 years as an agent, broker and agency owner.  She is also a long-standing member in the League of Women Voters and served as a Port of Kingston commissioner.

She had a passion for art, and served as an art docent for more than 35 years. She and her husband Burton travelled extensively, which she believes truly broadened her life view.

“Much of my education during those years was learning about people and different ways of life through travel.”

But it was a personal tragedy that in many ways has defined Morrow and her life mission. The loss of her 3-year-old great-grandnephew Eli, who died in 1986 when he was fatally beaten by his father, moved Morrow to a personal campaign to stop similar deaths.

“I wanted to understand more about people, how someone could do that to a child. Then I asked, why can’t we protect people in danger, how do we elect people to do something about this? How do we create a world where this kind of violence never happens?”

Morrow would go on to testify in front of the Legislature, having a hand in changing many laws, social-service procedures and training for social workers.

She worked with local authorities to create local transitional housing for victims of domestic violence, called Eli’s Place, and is working on increasing that capacity with the creation of Morrow Manor.

“As long as hundreds are turned away every month because we don’t have room, I’ll keep working on increasing housing options and awareness about this growing problem.”

As a longtime member of Poulsbo Rotary, Morrow has been able to enlist the help of the club.

“The Rotary has been a catalyst in getting the word out and identifying tangible ways to help,” she said. It was a member of the Rotary who donated the acreage upon which the planned Morrow Manor will be built, eight units of transitional housing for victims of domestic violence that will be constructed and staffed thanks to Rotary’s support.

Her focus upon the wellbeing of others surely must be a key to the long and healthy life of this vibrant, energetic community warrior.  Through her example and her hard work, our community is safer and can look towards a future where victims will be safe as well.

“I just want all children to have a happy life like I had. Education and awareness are the keys to that. There is much left to do, but we are making so much progress.”

It is that view — that we should never stop trying; that the power of one becomes the power of many — that inspires all those who are lucky enough to share some time with Ardis Morrow.  Her unique mixture of passionate community activism and light-hearted humor helps her amass an army of helpers whenever she puts out the call.

She hopes that she can be a spark to bring about lasting change and wants everyone to know they can be too.