Time away helps a leader see herself

Joann Horn was exceptionally qualified to serve as executive director of Emmonak Women’s Shelter, yet the work was increasingly heavy.

The Southwestern Alaska community relied on the 24-7 shelter to fix all kinds of things. Life was “get up, go to work, come home, rush to cook, rush to clean, rush to do laundry.”

Horn needed to remember who she was. She got her chance in 2022 through a Sabbatical Award that provided three months of paid time away. Her staff grew more fully into their jobs. She got time to sew and to pick berries. The family went on a Hawaii vacation. “This three-month leave made me realize what I was like before.”