Joy Craig Took Her First Civic Action in High School

Joy Craig is a retired U.S. Marine Chief Warrant Officer, mother, writer, and fierce advocate fighting against sexual assault in the military and for veterans' safe-access to cannabis nationwide. She retired from the United States Marine Corps after 23 years of service as an Aviation Ordnance Officer and Drill Instructor. During her service she was awarded the Navy Commendation and Meritorious Service Medals. Joy currently serves as the Community Outreach Officer for VetsLeaf; a veteran owned and operated cannabis manufacturer in Coachella Valley.

Joy appears as a guest in Episode 66: Military Families in Distress

Video Transcript:

My name is Joy Craig and My First Civic Action occurred when I was a senior in high school at Amphi in Tucson, Arizona, go Panthers. I took government was just the name of the class and Mrs. Wergoalie was my government teacher. She had a tradition in her class. And I think she's been carrying it on for years and years, every time a student turned 18. She would take them in her car at the end of the day down to the county recorder's office and register them to vote. s he would follow up on you and the next election that came around she knew which students to hit up to ensure that they cast their first vote vote, and she. She made sure you did your homework. She never told you how to vote or where to lean. But she made sure you did your research and you voted. She was the first person in my life that taught me about civic engagement. The people who raised me, I was in foster care, I was told my vote didn't matter that you know, you can't change one vote. One person can't change anything and I believe that until I met Mrs. Wergoalie.