Sheila Washington Warren wife (50 years), mother and grandmother, a community activist.  Creator and facilitator of People Celebrating People, a Restorative and Relationship Building gathering. Sheila believes in Restorative Circles no matter the group or the subject. Her work is facilitating/supporting Listeningdialogue (all one word). Healing Circles in the education system as well as the community. Her dream is seeing the whole world use Restorative Practices for peace. Relationships are the heartbeat of emotional healing.

Brene Brown says “We need to hold hands with strangers. We need reminders – collective joy and pain – reminders that we are inextricably connected to each other.”  “We are connected to each other in a profound way and the thing that moves us away from that faster than anything else is not politics – but fear.”

True belonging is not passive. It’s not the belonging that comes with just joining a group. It’s not fitting in or pretending or selling out because it’s safer. It’s a practice that requires us to be vulnerable, get uncomfortable, and learn how to be present with people without sacrificing who we are. If we are going to change what is happening in a meaningful way we’re going to need to intentionally be with people ( SW ) says who look like us.  

Has served on many committees and boards, present and past. Co-chaired the Oregon State discipline Committee, Founding director of the Solutions not suspensions Campaign, Served on equity advisory team for Multnomah Co., Equity and Race Relations Training and many more.

Awards: Oregon Teacher Association Humanitarian Award, Martin Luther King Lifetime Achievement Award, Restorative Justice Award, Freedom fighter award and many others.

She started her social justice work after she decided to stay home to do childcare when her grandchild was born with Special Needs. When her grandchild started school there were many times she advocated for her. It made sense to turn her support for her grandchild into a non-profit called Portland Parent Union advocating for families who are subjected to discipline disparities.