Bertha (Poirier) Clayton Will Present 'Big Idea' Program on Sept. 28

WAITSBURG – WHS graduate and Walla Walla attorney, Bertha Clayton, will present one of three free fall "Big Idea" programs at the Walla Walla Public Library. Clayton, who is the State Monitor Advocate for the Washington State Employment Security Department will present, "Ode to the Harvesters: Examining Current Agricultural Labor Issues in Washington State."

Clayton is the daughter of Roy and Abelina Poirier and grew up on a small farm on Coppei Creek, outside of Waitsburg. She graduated from WHS in 2004 and from Washington State University in 2007. She was named the 2006 Political Science Outstanding Sophomore at WSU in 2006.

Following graduation, Clayton worked as a paralegal and taught ESL and GED classes at Walla Walla Community College and holds law licenses in Washington and Idaho. She has practiced law in Walla Walla for three years.

Last year, she was hired as the State Monitor Advocate for the Empolyment Security Department and is responsible for monitoring regulatory compliance and advocating for migrant seasonal farmworkers in Washington State.

Clayton will give her presentation at 7 p.m. at the Walla Walla Public Library, located at 238 E. Alder St., on Thurs. Sept. 28.

Clayton's presentation is one of three fall "Big Idea" public programs sponsored by the Walla Walla Public Library and the American Association of University Women. On Oct. 26 Ginger Wireman will speak on "Hanford: Myth & Reality? A Current Look at the Cleanup" and on Nov. 30 Stan Ledington will present "Suicide Prevention and Youth Mental Health: The Positive Impacts of School-Based Health Clinics."

All presentations are free and open to the public.