Kathy Dawes has called Idaho home for over fifty years. When Kathy and her husband first arrived, they were welcomed with open arms and found a place to truly put down roots. Since then, she has given back in every way possible—through education, the arts, parks, science, and civic engagement—because she knows firsthand that strong communities are built by people who show up, work together, and invest in each other.

Inspired by her father, who was a professor at the University of Oklahoma Medical School, Kathy attended Carleton College and then taught high school science in Wisconsin. She and her husband, Dana, set out on an adventure living on a remote island in northern Ontario, Canada, cutting holes in the ice for water and chopping wood to keep warm.

Encouraged by a friend to head west, they packed everything they owned into a VW Bug and drove to Idaho to attend the University of Idaho, where both Kathy and Dana earned their master’s degrees. 

In Idaho, Kathy worked as a lab technician and graphic artist for scientific publications, which deepened her appreciation for science and education. As a stay-at-home mom, she cherished the years she spent raising their two young children. When they started school, she returned to teaching, first in Special Education at Moscow High School, where she found real fulfillment helping students discover their strengths and connect with job opportunities in the community. She later taught science at Moscow Junior High School, encouraging curiosity and hands-on learning until retiring in 2008.

A dedicated community builder, Kathy helped found the Moscow Community Theater, Arts Commission, Friends of Phillips Farm, and Palouse Discovery Science Center. She also dedicated 13 years to the Latah County Parks Board to protect and improve local parks.

Driven by a commitment to civil discourse and investing in programs that bring people together, Kathy became a moderator for Braver Angels in 2018, leading workshops designed to bridge political divides. Her dedication to fostering community and human rights earned her the 2024 Latah County Human Rights Task Force Rosa Parks Award.

From raising her family to teaching generations of local students, Idaho has given Kathy countless opportunities to serve by protecting parks, supporting the arts and sciences, promoting human rights, or helping neighbors bridge political differences. She is grateful to call this place home and is running for Idaho House to keep our communities strong, welcoming, and connected.