SBGI President Marti Glenn Presentation of the Doctor of Humane Letters to
Elizabeth Ann Bolles, July 12, 2008

Over the past four years Elizabeth had been in a consistent and vibrant quest for her PhD through SBGI. She had long since completed all of her course work and was well into the preparation of her dissertation when she was diagnosed with cancer, an event that most unfortunately demanded that she immediately terminate her studies.

Her research focused on bridging the hitherto isolated, yet complementary, fields of ecopsychology and somatic psychology. Elizabeth has been developing a theoretical model that could identify the relationships between the phenomena of “environmental connectivity” (the felt sense relationship to a place, ecosystem, or natural community) and embodiment (the felt sense relationship of inhabiting a physical body). Her study was to include an analysis of how these relationships relate to and influence the change process, particularly the efforts of change advocates who work toward ecological and social justice. Elizabeth postulated that an enhanced environmental connectivity and embodiment awareness could provide necessary support for activists to help avoid symptoms of burnout and overwhelm, classic concerns for those who work on behalf of the greater good against ever mounting social and ecological dislocation.

Before her illness she made substantial gains in formulating the necessary questions and supporting evidence to see if this hypothesis was accurate. For many of her colleagues, students, friends and clients the questions she developed will continue as primary spring boards for thought and further investigation, particularly for those concerned with the vital question of what it will take to support the necessary changes our society so drastically needs. 

Elizabeth takes both work and laughter very seriously. And she is not afraid to challenge her community to do the same. She is a master of keeping the big picture in full radiant view, while never ignoring the magnificent details which comprise it.

In acknowledgement of the quality and prodigious amount of effort Elizabeth has completed, I’d like to read a few quotes:
One of Elizabeth’s colleagues writes, “For the last three decades Elizabeth worked diligently in her community and beyond to ask vital and difficult questions. As an activist Elizabeth understood that if indeed the personal is political, then how we treat each other as human beings is a significant act of liberation. For her and her community of activist women, mobilizing against US Militarism around the globe was tied to unlearning oppressive behavior within relationships. Challenging multi-national agribusiness was tied to supporting the local food co-op and growing organic vegetables. Working against sexism was tied to raising children with love and valuing all gender identities and sexual orientations.”
Another friend and colleague writes, “I have seen how the ideas of her youth have matured into powerful tools of liberation. Elizabeth’s good works come through the words and actions of others, perhaps the truest measure of a righteous person. Her healing work has the same power in this community, rippling through the good works of others.”
“Elizabeth, because of you, I see gentleness as revolutionary activism. You were never limited to work on one plane, or even the two or three most people manage, but rather interwove the physical, spiritual, natural, energetic, mental planes into life.”

“The concepts you have developed within somatic psychology and earth activism, and what you’ve done with them through your teaching, mentoring, and nurturing have created a healthier community in Olympia, Washington. Your influence does not end there. I see your love and presence has rippled out from the Pacific Northwest to California, New York, across land and ocean to Denmark and Africa... Your teachings, your being, has affected the world in which you have lived so beautifully, out of which you are dying so beautifully. “

“The way in which you have chosen to die has created the space for even more healing, the work that you leave behind will continue through your intellectual heirs (of which there are many), your love will continue to be passed on to generations in the future. There will be people living out of love and change you put in the world decades from now, centuries from now, without knowing your name.”

“It's birthing, you help with, from infants drawing their first breath, to adults drawing their last breath, all of us heading into new worlds. A true midwife, healer, and steward of life.”

“I reiterate what you have taught many of us: 'You're right where you need to be, right now.'”

It is a great pleasure for me now to present to you the Doctor of Humane Letters. Congratulations, Dr. Elizabeth Ann Bolles, and thank you for the legacy you are leaving.

Blessings on your sweet return to the GREAT Mother of us all.