Dawn Indermuehle, RECIPIENT OF THE 2004 METTLE AWARD

NOMINATOR'S STATEMENT
Dawn grew up in a poor neighborhood in a family that was limited financially and educationally; both parents were high school dropouts. She was discouraged from making friends and faced many difficulties in her childhood, including emotional abuse and sexual molestation which continued until she reached the age of fifteen. Nonetheless, she did well in school and won the personal attention of some teachers. She always was and continues to be a very hard worker and an avid reader with wide interests. Throughout her adult years she has gathered around her a large circle of good friends. Without any assistance she put herself through three years of community college while working as a janitor at night. After earning her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts, she continued her education by using what money had accumulated in her retirement fund. She transferred to a state school and completed five semesters of classes in four. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and obtained her teacher's certificate at a time when there were limited openings in that field. Eventually she was forced to earn a living in a variety of jobs, such as office work, manual labor, and limousine driving. At the same time she learned to do pottery and photography. A few years ago she took time off from regular work and, with a small loan from friends, tried to start her own business selling her pottery and photography. When this proved to be insufficient to make a living, she returned to wage-earning work, yet continues to dabble in pottery and photography. For the last few years she has found her niche in food services.

Dawn comes from a family that has never budgeted and tends to be in debt. For years Dawn also did not budget and spent money somewhat thoughtlessly, although she always paid her debts conscientiously. About three years ago she decided to buy her own small condominium. To do this she had to become very frugal and careful with her limited income. By really scraping and also pushing various agencies involved, she succeeded. Within a month of closing on her condominium, the most important romantic relationship in her life ended unexpectedly. Two years later, realizing that her little condo had gone up significantly in value, she was inspired to sell it and to buy a two-family house so she could live there and rent the second apartment. With tremendous effort and continued frugality, she succeeded, and now owns a house, which she is fixing up on week-ends and evenings. She is good with tools, very imaginative and extremely determined. Her tenants appreciate her as a conscientious landlady.

Dawn is a sometimes prickly, yet very warm and loving person, who has repeatedly overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

2008 The Mettle Award Recipient

2007 The Mettle Award Recipient

2006 The Mettle Award Recipient

2005 The Mettle Award Recipient