Elizabeth A. Pope holds two degrees an AA in Liberal Arts at Sierra College, BA in Communication Studies from Sonoma State University. Prior to college, she medaled several times for Del Oro High School Cross Country team and received the Golden Eagle Award for being the most inspirational runner. The following year it was the APPLE award for providing motivation and encouragement. At age 17, she taught herself how to play the guitar. While attending Sierra College she explored her musical talents further with music theory, beginning and advanced guitar courses. Music has been an influential part of her life as she has used it to write powerful songs to audiences around the Sacramento Area. She has self- produced two albums and continues to pursue her dream of recording another full length album.
She also ran two seasons on the Sierra College Cross Country team from 2000-2002. She has worked in various radio broadcasting and media industries for several years that stretch from San Francisco to Reno, Nevada. In 2008 an opportunity was given to her to work with in advocacy on a local, federal, state level with Placer Independent Resource Services, California Foundation Independent Living Centers. As a Systems Advocate her foundation for advocacy begin. She was on several committees in the Systems Change Network: Olmstead Committee, Chair: Media Subcommittee, Placer County IHSS Advisory Committee. She has worked on many government issues on the state, local, federal level. She attended the National Council on Independent Living Conference in Washington D.C., where she met with Congressional Representatives: Wally Herger, Tom McClintock.
July 2009 she became an advisor for People First of California and continues to talk to many Northern California Chapters about how important it is to build a relationship with your local, state, federal representatives.
She has not let her learning and cognitive disabilities get in the way of pursuing her dreams or talents. She has been involved with our disability and civil rights movement for years. "I always tell our younger generation about my life story and how hard it has been to overcome barriers that I have faced. I encourage them to not let anyone stand in their way of their goals of who they want to be."
In September of 2009 she started volunteering with Supported Life Institute's Communication Technology Education Center AAC(Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Users Group. She has also volunteered for the Youth Leadership Forum and participated as a Co-Counselor in 2009 and volunteered for YO! Disabled and Proud Advocacy Summit in September 2009. July 2009 she became an advisor for People First of California. Upon accepting the Youth Advocate Position at California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, she currently works for IN Alliance/Supported Life Institute Alliance in partnership with CTEC (Communication Technology Education Center) - A program of Supported Life Institute as their Peer Mentor Outreach Coordinator.
On her spare time she enjoys hanging out with friends, family; writing songs, playing guitar, endurance running, weight and strength training, yoga, pilates, hiking, mountain biking. She is very active in the Sacramento Area communities.
