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Over the last several
years, however, Westmoreland has become increasingly
involved in community life outside of the workplace. Her
mother is a long-time grass roots political worker. When she
became sick several years ago, Westmoreland was asked by
long-time Democratic Party political operative George
Hillard to take her place for a while. That commitment
evolved into more than a mere stop gap measure.
Her insurance career often
brought Westmoreland into meetings with UAW members to talk
about life insurance and various benefits. Those sessions
brought her in contact with the newly-installed leadership
of the Toledo Branch NAACP, President Ray Wood.
Wood, also a vice
president of the UAW, asked Westmoreland to join the civil
rights organization and as a result of her service, she is
now an executive committee member in waiting.
As she puts it, all of
those activities collided when Robert Smith, founder and
executive director of the African American Legacy Project,
approached her about the emerging leader honor.
“It’s a huge
responsibility,” she says relishing the opportunity that
acknowledgment provides. “Now eyes are on you to do even
more in the community.”
And for her, doing more
means working within the groups she belongs to advance the
cause of racial equality and “doing more positive things for
young adults – they don’t have good mentorship currently,”
she says. “I’ve extended myself out to be a positive role
model, and to be a lady.”
Westmoreland, a Toledo
native and Devilbiss graduate, has a lot on her plate. In
addition to career and outside activities, she is working on
completing her undergraduate degree from Davenport
University.
What will the next 10
years bring for this emerging leader?
Remaining here in Toledo
is a priority, to be sure.
She also intends to
continue making progress in her financial career and moving
forward with her behind-the-scenes work in the political
world.
“Doing anything I can to
help the community,” she offers. |
