When Moe Keller was in high school, the idea of becoming a state senator never crossed her mind. Although admittedly interested in politics, she wanted to be a teacher. Moe loved kids; was a tutor on Saturday mornings. Her curiosity was peaked when watching a deaf woman in her neighborhood signing. This turned Moe’s focus to deaf children when tutoring. As she states, “I kinda stumbled upon some sign language stuff”. Moe continued this focus through college. It was when she was earning her teaching experience at a school for the deaf that Moe “knew she was home”.
For 25 years, Moe was an interpreter and teacher for the deaf. During this time, she was exposed to some politics but still the thought of running for office never crossed her mind. She became involved with community and neighborhood based issues which led to her attending local city council meetings. Because of this involvement, she was encouraged to run for city council. Moe admits to doubts-even fears when deciding to run. After all, this was a totally different path for her to embark upon; something she’d never done before. In the final analysis, several factors played a key role in her believing that she could run and in her ultimate decision to run.
Moe possessed a confidence which she herself attributes to her upbringing. The second of four children, Moe stepped up to the plate; taking the lead role due to her older brother suffering from a mental illness. She was the “oldest” in the sense of relating to her parents and she formed a very strong bond with her father. Because of his encouragement and support, she realized from a young age that she would be going to college; that she could be anything she wanted to be.
“He was an outstanding father,” Moe states. “If I got involved in something, he was right there.”
Moe was fortunate to find these same attributes in her husband. He’d always encourage her to be all she could be. Besides the foundation from her father and the support of her husband, Moe was fortunate to be surrounded by capable people who could mentor her through the process of running. They’d been through the process before. They agreed to assist her with her campaign which she won. Moe served as a member of the Wheat Ridge City Council for six consecutive years.
Because of her decision not to run for another term, Moe spent a few years, as she describes, “catching her breath.” Although out of office, she remained engaged in city issues and events, substitute teaching and interpreting. In 1992, the Democratic Party approached her; asking if she’d be interested in running for a seat in the House of Representatives just as a full time teaching position which she was vying for fell through. While disappointed she hadn’t been chosen for the position, at the same time, this opened the door for her to run for office again. Sometimes opportunities arise from disappointment.
For two weeks after agreeing to run, she found herself in panic mode. This was an uncharted chapter; the stakes were higher. Fear and doubt crept in despite confidence in her abilities. However, after those two weeks of uncertainty, Moe dug in-tapping into that confidence- and a great mentor. She followed a model that continues to work for her to this day. You see, Moe always gages what she’s going to take on and in turn, takes the steps she feels she could do. In this instance, although it was untested territory that brought fear and doubt, it was a logical next step. It felt somewhat familiar. It made sense. She was ready for the next turn in her road.
Moe won the seat. She was an elected member of the House of Representatives. However, even at this point, she did not aspire to be a state senator. In 2000 she was termed out. She became a campaign manager; spent two years as a sign language interpreter. It was during this break that she realized her aspirations of becoming a State Senator; deciding she would run if the opportunity arose. It did in 2002.
The race for State Senate was, “the most difficult thing I’ve ever endured,” Moe recalls.
The campaign was a horrible experience; her first exposure to the viciousness that goes on in today’s politics. It made her physically and emotionally ill. If she would have known how brutal the attacks were going to be, she states "I would have never run". However, no matter how downtrodden she felt, she continued to push forward. Moe credits her husband’s support and that of her team for getting her through. Looking back, she’s glad she ran. She’s glad she stuck it out because, as she says, “ I was able to do a lot of good things in my eight years in the Senate”.
Moe never thought her about her journey as a “path to success”. She actually never really thought about her journey because she was too “in it” at the time to think about the path she was on. She never reached a point when she thought she’d “made it”. To her, it was never about her title but instead what she could do in every role she held. It was never her goal to be in the Senate or Chair of the Joint Budget Committee. It was a gradual, unplanned series of “doors to be opened” that presented themselves over the years. And she opened every door that crossed her path.
By the time she became Senator, she’d obtained the wisdom and experience which afforded her a clear picture in where she was going. She was certain. Because of her journey, she knew exactly what she stood for: mental health and child welfare. It wasn’t until she was appointed Senate Chair of the Joint Budget Committee that she asked herself “how did I get here?”.
The culmination of Moe’s journey came with her current role as Vice President of Public Policy and Systems Advocacy for Mental Health America of Colorado where the public policy she focuses on is geared to individuals with mental illness and their families— something she knows personally. Moe not only follows legislation closely, she is also able to influence that very same legislation through the advocacy group she represents. This allows her to stay involved in legislation while fighting stigma; helping the afflicted gain treatment; and influencing policy on both a State and Federal level through Mental Health America’s National Conference.
“I love what I’m doing”, states Moe. “This is what I am meant to do”.
Just think if Moe Keller gave into her fears when new opportunities came her way. And what if she quit that Senate race when it really got tough? Would she be living her life’s work today?
Don’t let fear prevent you from exploring a new opportunity that comes your way; and don’t give in when times get tough. Dig into your strengths, lean on those around you, and push forward.
Thank you Moe for sharing your journey that led you to the important work you do today on behalf of the mentally ill and their families.
