Women’s Public Leadership Network (WPLN) is featuring stories from mothers seeking or serving in public office to celebrate Mother’s Day. WPLN's Director of Strategic Impact, Mercedes Blackwood, interviewed Tiffany Smiley, Candidate for U.S. Senate in Washington state.
From growing up on a farm in rural Washington, Tiffany Smiley married her high school sweetheart, Scotty Smiley, and achieved her goal of becoming a triage nurse. Then, in April of 2005, Tiffany learned Scotty, while serving America in Iraq, had been severely wounded by a suicide bomber, causing him to fall into a coma and permanently lose sight in both of his eyes. When Tiffany arrived at Walter Reed Medical Center, Scotty was still in trauma care, and she was informed that he would never be able to serve his nation again in uniform. Tiffany was even asked to sign a document, right there on the spot, consenting to Scotty’s immediate discharge from the Army. Rather than simply going along with Army protocols and the federal bureaucrats who were insisting she immediately sign the paperwork, Tiffany fought for her husband, his dreams, and for the care she knew he had earned. Tiffany pushed aside her professional dreams to focus on nursing her husband back to health, and she was determined that he would never become just another number in the unreliable VA system. To this day, Tiffany and Scotty have made fighting to ensure every veteran gets the benefits and care they deserve one of their highest priorities.
Tiffany and Scotty are now the proud parents of three young boys. Tiffany also works with women in business, helping them shatter barriers, and encouraging them to never let life’s challenges stop them from realizing their dreams and their full potential. Check out the conversation below to hear about her experience balancing service to her family and community!
