This story originally ran in the Bonner County Daily Bee and is used by permission.

Leata Judd’s dedication to teaching art at Lake Pend Oreille High School has earned her the honor of being selected Woman of Wisdom by the Women Honoring Women committee.

Others recognized this year are Carolyn Gleason, Brenda Hammond, Marguerite Suttmeier and Ruth Wimberly.

During the first quarter of this year, this 86-year old woman has volunteered 152 hours sharing her talent and inspiring under-privileged youth. Judd is carrying on a tradition she started when she moved to Sandpoint in 2012.

“She is molding the minds of young adolescents who need to know they have value and she helps them achieve this goal through self-reflection in art,” wrote Belinda Wilson, the high school’s office manager, in her nomination letter. “They are able to share themselves through their artwork and for some it is the first time they have let another person see how they view themselves.”

Wilson said that Judd has “opened their hearts.” And the students bear that out. One wrote, “Growing up in foster care, I can say she is the only true family I have. I thank her in my heart every day for being there for me and helping me to grow.”

Another student wrote, “She is the grandma everyone wishes they had.”

After raising four children, she and her beloved husband, Tom, moved from the San Diego area to Bayview in 1981. The doors to their wonderful home were never locked and people of all ages were welcomed in. When anyone needed help or encouragement Judd would put a big chuck of clay in their hands saying, “This will help you work out your problems.”

Indeed, her whimsical art in clay and paper mache makes everyone smile. Judd’s work reflects her positive attitude and joy of life and has been collected by hundreds of people.

Judd is very active in the Pend Oreille Arts Council. She participates in ArtWalk and for many years has taught the Kaleidoscope art program at Southside Elementary School. And, children love having Judd paint their faces at the Arts and Crafts Fair each summer.

The tree of happy faces she made for Kinderhaven’s Festival of Trees took her months to complete and delighted all who had the opportunity to see it. She made the huge puppet for Becky Luther called Andorra that entertains children and adults at so many events.

You never see Judd without a smile on her face, arms ready to hug and her giving spirit ready to help. Geoff Penrose, principal at Lake Pend Oreille High School said that Judd is a positive role-model for the benefits of life-long learning.

“Leata’s volunteerism means that (the students) get to sit next to a person who values self-expression as a mode of exploration, to just soak up that powerful mindset. I wish every classroom in our school had a Leata! She is wise, wonderful and worthy.”