January 2017 - Lynn Thompson

Lynn's impressive dedication to her Spanish studies stems from her wholehearted passion for social justice which has guided her career and life for decades. With a background in social work, she is a dynamic leader who has directed many organizations that serve women and children, including family crisis centers and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Deeply interested in culture, literature, travel and history, her contributions to group conversations are thoughtful and highly stimulating. Lynn truly enjoys the process of learning Spanish, unbridled by worries of making mistakes, and builds strong relationships with her classmates and instructors. We are honored to count Lynn as part of our community at Tierra, and proud of the great work she does!

Name: Lynn Thompson
Occupation: Consultant for non-profit agencies and businesses
Time Studying at Tierra: Over 2 years

1) Why are you studying Spanish?

"So many reasons... I love the Latino culture. I think one can only truly understand a culture through the language - how people express themselves helps one understand how they look at the world. There are so many native Spanish speakers in the U.S., 41 million, and I want to be able to communicate with them. I have a bilingual grandchild and have enjoyed helping him learn Spanish. And of course, for richer travel experiences. So far I have visited Spain and seven countries in Latin America."

2) What is your favorite part about your experience here at Tierra?

"Getting to know the students and teachers, all bright, inquisitive folks interested in culture, politics, history, literature, the arts, and nature. I love studying these topics with them through a new lens."

3) Can you tell us of a time you have been able to use what you have learned studying here?

"I enjoy combining volunteer work and my love of the Spanish language. I was on the board of directors of VOZ, a workers' rights organization. We conducted our board meetings in English and translated the discussions into Spanish for the Spanish-speaking workers on the board. I suggested we conduct the meetings in Spanish and translate them into English as needed, as we only had one board member who did not speak Spanish. I volunteered for various political campaigns this fall and called Spanish-speaking households to encourage them to vote. They were the friendliest citizens I spoke with, truly appreciative that someone was reaching out to them. I also volunteer in my grandson's classes when I am in L.A."

¡Felicidades Lynn!