By Terra Avilla
As this year’s Women’s Appreciation day came and went last week, I thought it would be very fitting to highlight a woman in our community who is an exemplary role model of what woman can be.
So many times as females we place ourselves into certain categories as either stay-at-home moms or working moms. Society sometimes places us into roles where we are seen as athletic, or feminine, brave or lady-like, however, one special lady I know, transcends all of the genres, breaking barriers and so gracefully and elegantly encompassing all of them at the same time. Molly Boulanger.
Molly is a Susanville native, who clearly loves this town. When writing this, it was hard to think of where to start because she honestly does so many cool things for our community.
First and foremost, Molly absolutely nails the whole wife-and-mother thing. If you think that being a mom isn’t cool then you clearly have never seen Molly in action. It’s clear she loves her children, but also still retains a very strong sense of herself in a way that I think other moms can only hope to.
Molly manages to be a very active mother, all while running her own photography business (Miss Molly’s Memories) and working full time, after completing the Lassen College Nursing Program. I can hear her distinct laugh when I go into my office visits and it always makes me happy.
As if being a fully employed momma and entrepreneur wasn’t enough, Molly doubles down on her commitment to the children in this community and is heavily involved in the coaching of the Susanville Sluggers. A fast pitch softball competition team. As the coach, not only is she responsible for shaping the players on the field, I guarantee Molly works just as hard to shape and mold these young girls off the field.
And let me tell you what, I would be more than thrilled for my daughters to ever have a coach with an ounce of the passion Molly has for these girls.
Before the world of Covid, Molly was consistently dedicating countless hours, not only to the teams and the tournaments, but for the practicing and the fundraising of the team. As someone who, also dedicates a lot of time to the youth in our area I can honestly attest that it is not an easy feat, and Molly does it flawlessly.
Molly has mastered the art of being strong and silly (just ask anyone who has played slow pitch with her – she is an absolute blast, but also, can hit the ball farther than anyone else in the league.)
She mastered the art of being “cool” yet centered.
She is a strong independent woman, yet still a great mother and attentive wife. She is so many things I hope for my girls to be when they grow up.
So if you see Miss Molly this week, tell her thank you for all the positivity she provides to this community, because I truly don’t think she realizes how amazing she is and how lucky we are to have her where we live.
