Rest Ministries: Lisa Copen
Please note: This entry -- originally posted at Our Bodies, Our Blog -- has not been updated since the publication date listed above.
From 2009 - 2011, Our Bodies Ourselves honored the work of women's health advocates worldwide by asking readers to nominate their favorite women's health hero. View all nominees by year: 2009, 2010, 2011
Entrant: Kara Marks Valeri
Nominee: Lisa Copen, founder and director, Rest Ministries
I would like to suggest Lisa Copen, who is the founder and director of Rest Ministries, a non-profit organization for the encouragement of people with chronic illness and/or pain. She has done so much to help women with their health problems, as well as supporting men.
I don't know if her personality has always been so optimistic and tenacious, but it certainly is now, and she has not only dealt w/ her illness and chronic pain admirably, but is also trying so hard to inspire others while working through the midst of her own physical pain and sometimes fog of her rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
We w/ chronic and often invisible illnesses deal w/ so much that others don't recognize, understand, empathize w/ or even agree with. We often end up having depression to go along w/ our chronic pain and/or chronic illness and although I know that Lisa occasionally gets discouraged like we all do, healthy or not, I've never seen her be anything but positive. I know that her faith in God comforts her and that she benefits from helping others, but there is something in her that is so inherently choosing to look at the positive part of illness, looking for blessings in the midst of burdens and discouragement, etc.
I was first exposed to Rest Ministries by receiving email forwards of the free daily devotional in some yahoogroups. There are a lot of email devotionals we can choose to receive every day from various websites, but the RM ones are special because they're written by people w/ chronic illness and/or pain, so they seem to speak more specifically to the things we deal w/ on a daily basis. Lisa used to write all the devotionals herself, but there is now a volunteer writing staff as well as many volunteers for the various areas of the ministry. When I would read the devotionals, I would be so uplifted and I felt so blessed just learning a little bit about Rest Ministries--I definitely knew that there was a big need for this type of ministry.
I started helping with Rest Ministries almost 5 yrs. ago when Lisa sent an email through the devotional mailing that she was looking for someone to check the voicemail, take messages, return calls as necessary, answer questions, help w/ orders, etc. Since I'm not able to work as an RN anymore, this is something I can do to feel that I can be of some help, and it's been such a blessing to me.
First, Lisa is a total inspiration. She was diagnosed w/ rheumatoid arthritis in her mid-20s and saw the need for support for people w/ illness, especially Christian support. She had been well-equipped to start a ministry of this sort as she was completing her degree in social work and doing an internship for a non-profit, as I understand it, so she prayed for a yr. about starting a ministry such as Rest Ministries and did establish it in 1997. She started w/ an in-person support group, then I believe they began connecting via both a newsletter (now a magazine instead) and email and then Lisa initiated the website, www.restministries.org. She was able to learn all the programming for the initial simple website and her skills have really grown, since the site is always being updated and looks very professional and she's still able to do all of that programming herself.
The ministry has grown so much from where it started, to now having about 300 in-person support groups called HopeKeepers groups around the nation and even in other countries; the site also has a lot of online information and support, such as online support groups, a message board/chat room called the Sunroom (http://restministriessunroom.ning.com/); many articles and links; a radio show twice a wk. (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hopeendures); a weekly free ezine; the free daily devotional I mentioned; and HopeKeeper's magazine, which is presently going digital, but she does hope it's able to return to paper-printed format in the future.
In 1992, Lisa also started an Invisible Illness wk. every Sept. since the mo. of Sept is Chronic Illness mo. nationwide. The site is http://www.restministries.org/invisibleillness/invisibleillnesshome.htm and still has information from this past Sept.--she'll be updating that soon w/ this yr.'s logo, slogan, information, etc. (this yr.'s is Sept. 14-20.) The theme for Invisible Illness Week 2008 was “Hope Can Grow Through The Soil of Illness.” Each yr. our ministry promotes this major public awareness campaign and it's a designated time during which people who live with chronic illness, those who love them, and organizations are encouraged to educate the general public, churches, healthcare professionals and government officials about the impact of living with a chronic illness that is not visually apparent.
It's a grassroots campaign to help spread the word that those with illness may look great, but are hurting and need love and understanding. We have several presentations a day from guests on a variety of topics, both spiritual and practical. (Starting last yr. and in the future the talks will be by blogtalkradio.com; previously they were chats in our chatroom. It's great to have those past sessions archived for people to listen to in the future or to be able to download onto their IPods; our twice-weekly shows are also archived.)
About Lisa -- she is 40 yrs. old, married for about 10-15 yrs., I believe, and she and her husband adopted their son Josh as a baby 6 yrs. ago. She lives in Poway, CA, a suburb of San Diego, so the ministry's address is in San Diego even though it's very much a nationwide and mainly online ministry. I've never been able to meet Lisa in person, but between lots of emails and talking on the phone a few times a mo., I feel very close to her. All of us touched by RM are dealing w/ different illnesses, and even when we have the same illness, we are affected in different ways and to different degrees. We do have so much in common when we're dealing w/ our various illnesses, though.
Rest Ministries really tries to make the magazine, groups and other forms of support encompass a wide range of issues that speak to people dealing w/ a wide range of conditions. It is from a Christian perspective, but Lisa tries really hard for it not to be too "preachy," and we want people of any faith (or no faith) to be comfortable receiving encouragement and information. There are quite a few Jewish people and other non-Christians who do benefit from the ministry, I know.
I have MS and even though it sounds like in many ways Lisa is more physically affected by her illnesses than I am, she somehow manages to be very active -- much more active than I'm able to be, despite the fact that my MS is actually much milder than it is for many w/ MS. My boys are older teenagers and don't need as much physical care, but her "baby" is now 6 and she's a very active work-at-home mom who has to do much more physically in taking care of and occupying her son. She also manages to get out of the house almost every day even when very ill, whereas I, like so many others w/ chronic illness, am at home so much more. (This is one reason why the online encouragement from the ministry is so helpful to people.) Lisa also puts forth a lot of effort in maintaining her marriage and being a supportive wife--marriages are much more likely to fail when they are touched by chronic illness and Lisa seems determined to keep her husband and marriage a priority despite her limited resources of time and energy.
In addition to Lisa's physical pain and fatigue and probably a lot more physical problems than I know, she has a lot of trouble w/ her hands, fingers, wrists, shoulders, neck, feet, and ankles. There is so much swelling and damage that some deformities have evidently started and the edema (swelling) of her feet became so bad last fall (she was off her meds trying to prepare for hand surgery, which she still now isn't well enough to have!) that a foot wound began and despite really good wound care from a clinic and at home, she developed the flesh-eating bacteria in that wound, had to be hospitalized for a wk. on IV antibiotics and then receive them at home by IV for about 3-4 wks.
She is very blessed that she didn't lose her foot, her leg or even her life -- that's how serious that bacteria can be. The wound is still not 100% healed, but hopefully she will heal enough to be able to have the surgery and be able to go back on her medications. (She said that she's really glad that her laptop couldn't access the internet while in the hospital or she would have been even more frightened than she already was--that was actually her first hospitalization other than outpatient surgery.)
Lisa's attitude toward healing is I think part of what keeps her so positive. If you're interested at all in our viewpoint on healing, it is addressed very well and scripturally at the website, and it can be a controversial topic. This is actually one of the reasons many people w/ chronic illness and pain become discouraged and hurt. Some of course become angry and bitter that they're not healed by God, but what is so very hurtful can be the responses from other people. Sometimes those in the church will tell people that they were prayed for, so they should be healed, so if they're not, it's because they don't have enough faith or they have unconfessed sin.
Some churches seem to feel that Christians shouldn't become depressed or even that all illness is spiritual attack and therefore there's something that those w/ illness are or are not doing that is causing their problems. Lack of understanding from not only other Christians but also from family, friends, employers, co-workers and strangers can be very hurtful. People often are actually trying to be helpful but still say things that hurt--or they want you to go to this dr. or try this treatment. (Sometimes they are marketing "cures" also.) I agree w/ Lisa that we'll all be healed--it just might not be until we're in heaven!
Lisa has written several books and is always working on new projects. She has written Mosaic Moments: Devotionals for the Chronically Ill, which is a collection of devotionals, about half written by her and about half collected from volunteers--it's really "the best of the best." Many people, myself included, have been really ministered to by her book, Why Can't I Make People Understand? It's not about how you can *make* other people understand, but about how they're *not* going to understand (no one in your life is going to understand 100% except for God -- he's the only One who will never let you down.)
We have to learn how to be OK w/ people not totally understanding or even not understanding at all. She has written two Bible studies that are often used by HopeKeeper's groups, and individuals are also often interested in them. She has written So You Want to Start a Chronic Illness/Pain Ministry for those considering starting a local in-person support group. There is also a wonderful small book she created, called Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend, which has gotten a lot of good feedback from churches and individuals. Often churches are good about ministering to those w/ acute illness, like they come home from the hospital and have meals provided.
But most churches have no ministry for those w/ ongoing illness and we try really hard to raise awareness of the need for that. I found the book really helpful for suggestions on how to help my sister long-distance while she's been getting chemotherapy for her Stage 4 ovarian cancer -- another very positive woman if you're interviewing several with illness! Lisa has also written some other things about book marketing, promoting websites, adoption scrapbooking, etc. I can't keep up w/ all that she does!
Lisa is totally a volunteer for the ministry, basically full-time, if you consider the no. of hrs. she puts towards Rest Ministries per wk., and receives no payment for even book profits -- everything is put back into the ministry. If the ministry is in the red, which it often is, as are many ministries these days, she and her husband keep the ministry going. Lisa physically receives all the online and mail orders from our non-profit store and I send a few phone orders to her, and until about 6 mo. ago she was the one who filled the orders, packed them for mailing, and got them mailed virtually every day.
We did recently start having a Christian company physically pack and mail the orders for a small fee, but there are ongoing things she must do every day by computer to keep the orders arriving and the ministry going, whether she's feeling like it or not and whether her hands are hurting her or not. She often doesn't sleep well and is somehow one of those people who is able to work despite physical pain and use that time to get things done--she's always writing something new, organizing and brainstorming new things. She is so knowledgeable and inspired and God has given her so many abilities to help this ministry grow.
I don't know how many "well" moms could do all that Lisa does, let alone see how Lisa does it, dealing w/ so much illness. Most of the people we deal w/ are very nice, but many of us aren't at our best when we're not feeling well, so I know that she does sometimes get really discouraging emails. She's always able to stay so positive and give encouragement to others or to smooth things over if someone's upset about something, whether we've somehow disappointed them or something in their life is overwhelming them.
But sometimes the kind of help they're needing is something we don't do: they're having desperate financial trouble; they have no one locally to help them physically or emotionally; they're having trouble w/ drs. -- finding the right one, finding an empathetic one or affording medical treatment at all; they can't get pain relief no matter what they try; they want someone to call in the middle of the night when they're hurting and discouraged; they're desperately lonely, depressed or suicidal. We don't have every possible resource available yet to people dealing w/ pain and chronic illness, but we fill a great void in providing not just support, but Christian support and we do try to point them in the direction of getting whatever help they're needing.
I just want to close w/ saying that I've learned to view having a chronic illness as a blessing and Lisa and her ministry have both helped w/ that. I know that not everyone can say that, but I truly wouldn't change it, because it's helped me grow spiritually. I've gone into all of this to show how much this ministry is needed and what a blessing Lisa has been to all of those living w/ chronic illness and/or pain, male or female, and how very positive she's been able to stay.
There are so many people I have met in my life and through this ministry by whom I am greatly inspired, but Lisa Copen would definitely be the one by whom I'm *most* inspired! She has been able to do great things w/ her life despite the struggles and challenges she's been given. She's been able to use the talents God gave to her and she has touched the lives of so many through Rest Ministries.
194 Responses
Lisa Cope on
Wow... thank you, Kara! I am humbled and even I got tired of reading about myself! I couldn't do it without you and all of the volunteers and participants at Rest Ministries that make it what it is by just reaching out to someone with loving kindness.
I appreciate your votes so we can continue to let more people know about Rest Ministries and National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week www.invisibleillness.com
Bless you all!
Lisa Copen
Lynn on
I support Kara in all her comments regarding Lisa Copen. I have been blessed by the Rest Ministries organization and remain amazed at how so much has been accomplished via Lisa's vision and and implementation. There is an incredible volunteer staff across the whole nation and internationally.
Crystal on
I cast my vote to go along with this nomination. Lisa is an inspiration. She not only deals day in and day out with her own health issues, but is so invested in praying with and encouraging others who suffer similarly.
I've been greatly encouraged having Lisa as a friend. I truly think her ministry is a blessing and hope to see it continue to grow.
Stacie on
I totally support the nomination of Lisa Copen. She stands where others fall. She loves when others ignores. She smiles and lifts others' hearts. Clearly, I appreciate, adore, and admire Lisa as a woman of faith, integrity, and spunk. God bless!
Stacie Ruth
Author, Recording Artist, and Founder of Bright Light Ministry
Sharon on
I also support the nomination of Lisa Copen. I have never met her, but we have communicated through email and facebook several times. She is so very helpful and kind. I know how hard it can be to take the time and energy to help others when we're not feeling too well ourselves.
Her organization is wonderful on so many levels. I somehow stumbled upon the Restministries website several years ago, when I was at a low point, and after reading for several minutes, I felt a sense of peace that I hadn't felt in a long time. Finally, I felt I could go somewhere for support. Somewhere that others knew what I was going through.
I will be hosting our first support group at my church next week. I'm excited about being able to offer help and encouragement to others who deal with chronic illness in my community.
Thanks for all that you do Lisa. And, thanks to all of the vounteers and your friends and family who offer you the support so that you are able to do all that you do.
Sharon
Sunny on
I totally agree with all the above about Lisa Copen. I have met her personally and she is exactly as you would expect. She cares about everyone around her and I personally don't know how she does what she does without the grace of God. She is definitely the hero of women's health.
May God continue to bless you Lisa in the work you do for Him and us....
Jolene on
I also support Lisa. I was first brought to Rest Ministries maybe about a year ago, and from the beginning found a new home. Lisa has put everthing she has into making rest ministries a place of encouragement and hope to so many. She has inspired me to do what i have to do, and to push forward through my pain and suffering. I would so love some of her energy and perserverance.
Jolene
Jenni Saake, author, Hannah's Hope on
Lisa is definately a personal hero in my life. It is fantastic seeing her recogized for the endless effort she pours into helping others survivie and thrive in the midst of health challenges, even as she herself faces countless daily struggles and pain. The support network Lisa has built is incredible and a resource I depend on both for myself and as a ready resource to give to others facing chronic pain and illness.
Amy on
Lisa is a blessing to all who suffer from chronic pain and illness. Rest Ministries is the first place I came upon when searching for chronic pain support for dealing with fibromyalgia. I am so grateful to God for leading me there!
Kelley H. on
Lisa is a HUGE inspiration to myself & others! Her ministry has been a blessing to those of us who suffer with chronic illness & disability. Her ability to not only rise above her challenges, but to encourage others, AND care for her family, make her my hero! She is my Women's Health Hero!!
Michele on
Lisa is a inspiration and a blessing to so many including myself. I have known of her ministry for almost 12 years now. Her ministry has litterally saved my life... it brought encourgement and information to me right when I needed it the most! I praise the Lord for Lisa and her precious family! She is my Women's Health Hero as well!
Crystal on
Rock on sister! We have a lot in common and you are a life giver.
Sylvia Bortman on
Lisa Copen definitely has my vote! She has been a real blessing to so many who suffer from chronic illness! She is a real winner and a true champion among women! May God richly bless you always Lisa! Sylvia
Carlene on
I, too, want to take a minute to publicly thank Lisa for her work with Chronic Illness. I am proud to serve as a volunteer under her. However, there are not enough words to say how much she has encouraged me. I found Lisa and her site (Rest Ministries) online shortly after spending time in a hospital due to my chronic illness. There I found someone who not only stated that she cared, but I knew that she cared because she understood.
Karen Bastille on
I whole heartedly support Lisa Copen for this honor.
I enjoyed and was inspired by Lisa's work when I first received my own diagnosis of chronic lung disease.
Now that I have been also diagnosed with connective tissue disease, Lisa's work has even more meaning for me.
Thank you, Lisa and thanks also to Kara for nominating her.
Mary on
Cound not think of a better person to be recognized as a Hero. Lisa is definately a hero in my book. She truly is an angel God put here to help us all. Thank you, Lisa for all you do and God bless
Ellie on
Lisa has offered a great and valuable service and resource to people dealing with chronic conditions! There is a community. There is caring. There is given hope and ecouragement. Thank you Lisa for a your efforts and hard work over the past 10+ years! You are a blessing to many, many people.
Ellie
Linda on
I support the nomination of Lisa. Thanks for all you do for us.
Connie on
I ran across the website while looking for something to help me with my chronic pain. Lisa is an inspiration to us. She deserves any recognition that she has already gained as a person that "walks the talk".
Kristy Howell on
Lisa would be the ideal person for this honor. As a Parkinson's disease patient,
I was in search of someplace to turn that would offer the support, encouragement and perspective for those that suffer. God led me to what He was doing through Lisa and now I am taking that light to others with chronic illness and pain. The fact that she continues to perservere in pain herself to minister to all of us (and her family) makes her a hero worth recognizing!
Lea on
Lisa is selfless and inspirational!! I absolutely agree!!
Kathleen on
I submit my vote for Lisa who is the encouraging, driving force behind many wonderful resources for those with chronic illness.
Sand on
As a chronic pain sufferer, I am encouraged by Lisa. She speaks softly and strongly in her own voice.
Rhonda on
Lisa is an amazing lady. She has encouraged so many through Rest Ministries and Invisible illness week. Lisa deserves to be recognized for all she does behind the scenes. Lisa, thank you for your ministry and all the energy you put into making others aware of Rest Ministries and Invisible Illness Week. Create a positive day!
debbie on
Lisa is amazing. A inspiriation to those of us with chronic illness. She gives us hope and understanding in her ministry and writings.
Way to go Lisa !!!!!!!
Jill on
Lisa is the best. She has been so helpful in helping me to find comfort and support while dealing with my own personal invisible illnesses and chronic pain. I vote for her.
Katherine on
I vote for Lisa!
Kim on
I vote for Lisa. Love her website and lots of information she provides for those with chronic illness or also for caregivers.
Nancy Dittert on
You go Lisa. I don't know anyone more deserving. God bless you and God continue to Bless Rest Ministries, our haven of rest and support! ~Love, Nancy Dittert (Thanks Kara)
Judith on
Lisa has been a blessing to me. She is a HERO.
carol on
I vote for Lisa
Roy and Sarah McCollum on
We vote for Lisa. By founding Rest Ministries, she has allowed us to find others we can relate to. The only thing better would be to have people we could meet in person, but that might even happen someday, as Rest Ministries becomes better known to the Christian community facing chronic illness. Rest Ministries is a place to find friends online, which is the next best thing to "being there."
Rev. Sharon R. on
As a minister I have the greatest confidence in directing chronically ill people to the Rest Ministries web site where I know they will be ministered to emotionally and spiritually. Lisa certainly is a talented, warm hearted, and God-led woman who shephards her invisible "flock" much like the Great Shephard cares for His sheep.
I gladly add my vote for Lisa, and pray that God continues to bless her and her ministry to those who hurt.
Julie on
I vote for Lisa Copen. I recently joined Rest Ministries and have been so glad to be part of this 'family'.
Thank you Lisa for all your efforts to offer encouragement and support to all of us with chronic pain/illness (invisible illness). You are a woman of faith and courage.
margaretha on
I also support the nomination of Lisa!
Susan on
Lisa is a true inspiration. She ministers to so many. I wish to add my support and vote for Lisa.
Cathy on
I whole-heartedly support Lisa's nomination! Lisa is an inspiration to so many of us with chronic illness! Thanks for all you do, Lisa! (And thanks for nominating her, Kara!)
Patsy Robertson on
My vote goes to Lisa who is a woman I truly admire. I'm not sure what my life would be like without someone like Lisa who fights for me. I was diagnossed with osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia and Major Derpression which triggered my Bipolar Disorder during the years 1994~1996. I had a career that I absolutely loved as a Special Events Director. But I was forced to retire on Social Security disability late 2001. I was approved the first time around which I understand is not that easy. I suffer almost every day. My daughter gave me a two year old Schnauzer a few months ago. He gets me up and out every day even when I think I can't, I do it anyway. Wendell is his name and he is my miracle. I spent the year 2008 ini the bed most of the time. I had a terrible case of shingles on my left thigh which seems to be in remission. I admire Lisa because when I think about her and how I know of her, through this website, it is comforting to know that someone is fighting for those of us who are not believed to be "that" sick or that I have a choice to be well or sick. When family or friends tell me these things it hurts my heart. A therapist gave me a new perspective last year when I told her how frustrated I was that my children can't seem to accept that I'm sick. She said "Patsy, I don't think you have accepted it." I knew as soon as she said it, she was right. It has helped to be on my journey to accepting myself where I'm at. Lisa's emails always helps in theis area of finding self confindence again. I admire Lisa because I've walked a mile or two in her shoes and she in mine. Lisa is truthful and gives us hope.
Paula on
I vote for Lisa! She is an incredible inspiration, and her website and publications have provided help for so many of us dealing with chronic illness. Her selfless dedication to helping others deserves recognintion of the highest order.
Nancy on
I vote for Lisa, too!
Linda on
I definitely vote for Lisa Copen. Having fought multiple illnesses for many years, I have gained good insight from her daily devotionals and truly appreciate the good work she does.
May God walk with each of you daily,
Linda
Rev Zoe Tyree on
I know Lisa, her ministry, her books and even her cheerful picture have helped me along this path the Lord has set before me...
Do I understand why? Nope, I dont but I do know and accept His Will.
..and to that end, I am trying to be an example to others who cross MY path that this is not the end and they are loved by their Heavenly Father and we others who travel with them... Lisa has taught me that.
I am in the ministry myself, a intercessory prayer ministry with a card outreach to those who find themselves up against the proverbial wall... We will make it, thru HIS grace and mercy. His JOY will be our strength !
Thank you, Lisa for helping me find my way thru this darkness to light...
I keep you in my prayers,
Zoe
Peggy on
Indeed, it is a privilege to nominate Lisa Copen for this recognition. Not until Rest Ministries, Inc. was established, was there a way to educate the public and provide encouragement to people who were struggling with chronic illnesses. Lisa's work has been tireless, and blessed by God to create a community of people who can encourage one another through life's greatest challenge -- living with CHRONIC health problems.
God has used Lisa to help us show compassion even with our own struggles; come out from hiding and feeling ashamed about our circumstances; build personal esteem, and be courageous enough to face people who don't always believe or support us. Rest Ministries has enabled the health care community to sit up and take notice about the "other side" of medicine -- respecting the patient's emotional needs. And WE ALL APPRECIATE HER FOR IT.
Autumn on
My vote goes to Lisa. Through inspirational devotionals, she has helped me cope with my illness better, and also bringing me closer with my relationship with God. Thankyou.
Sheila on
Lisa seems to have single handedly beem the main educating force in our society about invisible illness, and the extent of her reach and support to many thousands of people through her many websites and radio show seem astounding to me, considering she is ill herself and caring for her family. I don't know of many people who have done as much, as efficiently as Lisa.
Blessings,
Sheila
Sylia on
I first came across Rest Ministries and Lisa Copen a few years ago after I was forced into early retirement due to arthrits and depression.
I have found so much comfort in this site and Lisa's blogs and was able to go and follow a lifetime dream of being a writer. I was able to take an online /correspondence course in freelance writing and have been writing for a couple of years now on chronic illness, co-authoring a book titled "After the Diagnosis:The Journey Beyond, which Lisa reviewed on one of her radio shows. I am now branching out into writing for and about children with special needs, chronic illness and learning challenges and have a lot of encouragement from Lisa in the production of Professor Owl's Newsletter that is specially for these children.
Warm regards
Sylvia McGrath
Silvia on
I too vote for Lisa. I came across Rest Ministries online about 9 years ago when I was suffering from chronic low back pain. It was such a blessing to find the website and receive the daily devotionals. The authors of the devotionals provided so much comfort through the Word of God. I was greatly comforted during those difficult months by reading the words of encouragement written by others who were also suffering from chronic pain or illness. Thank you Lisa! for your great love and commitment to such a wonderful cause.
Sylvia on
Lisa is a real inspiration to me, how she has relied on God to be able to help other people with chronic health problems, and to give herself the strength that she needs to make Rest Ministeries all that it has become. She has encouraged others to volunteer, and her attitude has been great towards others when they were unable to continue in their volunteering positions. I love to listen to her radio program on Tues. and Thurs. every week. Her devotionals that her ministry puts out by volunteers is very helpful for many of her readers. I vote for Lisa Copen!!!!
Ruth on
I vote for Lisa.
Sue on
Lisa has my wholehearted support for this nomination.