Summary

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski on Tuesday awarded Silje Sodal with the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service, an award that recognizes individuals whose work has answered the question asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?”

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King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski on Tuesday awarded Silje Sodal with the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service, an award that recognizes individuals whose work has answered the question asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?”

Sodal is the Executive Director of the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA), a coalition of service providers, advocates, faith communities, cities and elected leaders who advocate for a strong and accessible health and human services system in the north-end cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell and Woodinville.  She oversees and manages the strategic direction and operations of NUHSA and particularly enjoys the role NUHSA has in convening stakeholders and building local and regional partnerships to better serve residents. 

“I was proud to award the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service to Silje Sodal, for her outstanding contributions to human services and community needs in North King County,” said Dembowski. “While working with Silje on an array of issues over the years I have always been struck by her tireless efforts and positive attitude.  Silje has made a substantial impact on the lives of many, and her selfless commitment is an inspiration to us all. It is an honor to recognize her extraordinary service, and I look forward to continued partnership and collaboration with her on vital issues of importance to North King County.” 

Originally from Colorado where she served in the Lt. Governor and Governor’s Office, Silje moved to Seattle to attend the UW School of Public Health, focusing on maternal and child health. She worked at WithinReach on breastfeeding support and promotion and loved the organization so much that she stayed on as a Board member for six years. During that time, she also became a doula and chaired the Seattle Midwifery School Board of Directors, supporting initial conversations culminating in the eventual merger with Bastyr University in 2009.

While raising her two children, Silje has held multiple leadership roles, first in her local community co-op preschool, and then through PTA at the primary and secondary levels and as Council Co-President and WSPTA Region 6 Chair. When the pandemic struck, she and her PTA Council team partnered with the Shoreline School District and community organizations to increase food access and connect families to services, mobilizing to support the most impacted families through food drives and distribution of gas and grocery gift cards. They raised over $90,000 in flexible spending support for more than 300 families. Silje also led weekly Community Supports Zoom calls with district, city and community leadership to share information and coordinate efforts, and distributed city ARPA funding through PTA Council to assist families.  

She has served with multiple foundation, policy, advisory and curriculum groups, participated in campaigns, and is currently a board leader and committee chair of the Lake Forest Park Rotary Club and Friends of Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park. 

“The most enjoyable work is done in partnership with others, and I have had the pleasure over the years of working with many exceptional individuals who continue to inspire and motivate me to always do more,”  said Sodal. “Building strong, healthy communities where everyone has the opportunity to succeed is everyone’s business – and can only happen if we all work together.”    

Silje lives in Lake Forest Park with her husband and two teenagers and loves to hike, ski and spend time with friends and family.  

This marks the eighth year that Councilmembers have each selected someone from their district whose work embodies the spirit of King’s question. Councilmember Dembowski authored the original legislation in 2015, establishing the program.