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Bernadine Craft
It is immediately clear when speaking with Representative Bernadine Craft that people are her passion. She has a focused, calm energy that she pours into a multitude of roles. Not only is she a legislator, she runs a small psychotherapy practice, working with individuals such as participants of CLIMB Wyoming, a program which provides training for single moms to make a livable wage. She is the director of the Sweetwater County BOCES, which provides educational opportunities for both Sweetwater County school districts, WWCC and the community; she teaches yoga, something she has done for 32 years; and is currently working to achieve her goal of becoming ordained as an Episcopal priest, which has been a lifetime dream.
Craft has called Rock Springs home, with the exception of a few years away for school and work, all of her life. A second generation Sweetwater County native, Craft is a treasure for Wyoming’s communities. Her grandfather was an early area sheep rancher. Craft says her parents, “were unbelievably supportive,” and believed there was nothing she couldn’t do. In fact, Craft recounts a story in which her dad told her, “If you’re interested in medicine, be a doctor, don’t marry one.” She goes on to say that her mother “was a feminist before the term existed. She had a degree in social work and was a field representative for Wyoming State Welfare, traveling around the state. This was back in the day when women didn’t travel for work.” It’s clear family support and strong role models fostered Craft’s ambition; she was valedictorian of her graduating class at Rock Springs High School, and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Utah. She also became the doctor her dad talked about, earning her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.
As for how Craft became a legislator? She insists she, “never had political aspirations.” It wasn’t until the House Seat in her district opened and people started ASKING her, that she thought about running. “I was stunned,” says Craft. She had been involved with lobbying as a counselor and knew she couldn’t be critical of what the government was doing unless she became more involved, so she chose to run, which was a decision she is happy with.
When asked how we get more women in the political arena Craft says, “You have to ask women; women more so than men I think, and I’m not sure why.” She feels nurturing women, by providing them with role models and mentors, is important too. Craft seems to put her money where her mouth is.“Bernadine is a great role model for women,” says Lori Millin who served in the legislature with Craft. “She listens to both sides of the story and when she speaks on the legislative floor, it is sermon-like. She speaks calmly, but with passion and meaning, and it draws people in.” Millin explains that Craft’s intelligence and wit are never threatening and that Craft always seems to be searching for a solution. Craft, who once guided Millin’s son in negotiating for a puppy with his father, will be the first to admit that if an issue seems important, she is not one to let it lie and will work hard to find compromise.
When asked about her greatest accomplishment, Craft pauses. “I think so frequently, you don’t think about things as great accomplishments. You accomplish one goal and move on to work toward another. I think you should always have goals and a plan to achieve those goals.A huge mistake is saying I got whatever it was I was striving for, I can relax now. I think the journey is more important than the destination and I want to always ask myself, ‘What can I give back? What can I learn from this?’”
For all of Craft’s accomplishments, there has also been struggle. Her parents have passed away and Craft watched as her “biggest cheerleader,” her husband, also passed away from cancer. But even in moments of struggle, Craft seems to learn. On a particularly tough day while her husband was fighting cancer, Craft says she was feeling sorry for herself and told her husband she couldn’t imagine a world without him. He had a quick and direct reply for her, “I’m dying and you’re not. You have so much to give and talents to share. You will go on and you will do it.” He was right. Craft continues to look forward and make a difference in the lives of all the people she meets.
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