Summary

Councilmember Kathy Lambert selected Laura Smith to receive the 2020 MLK Medal of Distinguished Service award from the King County Council.

Story

King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert on Tuesday awarded Duvall resident Laura Smith with the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service, an award that recognizes individuals whose work has answered the question asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?”

Currently executive director for the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network, Smith has more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector where she has worked in a variety of volunteer and leadership roles to improve the quality of life in her community.

“It is my honor to present this Medal of Distinguished Service to Laura Smith, who has continued to tirelessly serve youth, parents, service providers, and education professionals throughout the Snoqualmie Valley,” Lambert said. “Thanks to her leadership and dedication, the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network is working to promote and inspire youth to lead safe, healthy, and successful lives.”

She has been an active community leader on the Eastside for many years, including with Rotary Club of Duvall, Executive Dow Constantine’s Healthcare Leadership Circle, King County’s Mental Health and Drug Dependence Advisory Council, the Snoqualmie Valley Healthy Community Coalition, and the King County Human Services Alliance. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and secondary teaching from Colorado State University and a Master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado. She is a graduate of Leadership Eastside and says she gets her energy from community collaboration and working with youth. She resides in Duvall with her husband and two children. 

This year marks the fifth year that councilmembers have each selected someone from their district whose work embodies the spirit of King’s question.