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Margo Brown
Margo Brown is one of those talented women who speak through so many mediums. She's a potter, a singer, a community beat keeper, an articulate speaker. Buffalo is her home and she's made harmony there and let that energy reach through the state where she gives generously, is outspoken and committed, and creates peace in so many ways.
"I have come to believe that we can't really change the whole world, but we can change our community," she says. She likes making the spaces where we live "as alive and vital as possible". She does this as part of a band, the Fire Ants, as well as a steel drum band she is a part of. She remembers the music-related moment when a particular philosophy took root: a friend and fellow musician, Paul Taylor, observed that her band is all about building community, and Brown says she "realized that was the most important thing in my life."
Brown seems to be one of those people whose leadership resonates by example. Kate Fox says: “Margo is self-effacing, but in her daily life she demonstrates a fierce dedication to her beliefs; riding her bike to work, recycling, and giving generously to anyone in need of a meal or a kind word. Margo is the real deal, doesn’t say much, but lives what she believes.”
Brown puts quality into her life by practicing those things that bring joy. She explains that clay is one of those materials that is worked with the hands and will vibrate for months and months once it’s been touched. She is committed to this connection, to the people who receive her pottery, and says "I only want to make functional usable things that are touched and have an active life themselves." She wants to have beautiful things in her own life as well and to support individuals, artists and artisans. “I think that it’s really important to support things that are made by hand as a way to express that we still have a voice despite corporate America,” she says.
Brown believes in being conscious of people who don't have as much of an ability to control their lives as we do, whether that’s fair wages in other countries or looking after her hometown folk. While she knows a lot of strong and amazing women who are really self-reliant in the best way, she does scoff a bit at the idea that Wyoming is the equality state. She sees the importance and need for creating jobs that pay women equally. As for Brown, she’s made her own choices, and one of the most significant was to be a potter despite possible limitations in the pay scale.
Community events bring out the song of the song. Seeing people communing, bringing their food and their dogs together, and watching father's dance with daughters are all rewards to Brown. Her daughter has chosen to pursue a career as a musician and a dancer. Brown's husband, David Romtvedt, also leads with harmony as a musician and community builder, whether it’s on the button accordion or running the foundation called Worlds of Music. "If you have work that is fulfilling, you don't need as much," she says about playing charity concerts. Brown seems to have a gift and be a gift.
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