the birth of a fighter

In Babe and the Big Boys, Cathleen "Cathy" Pearsall-Stipek charts her remarkable journey from a young housewife advocating for her deaf son to becoming one of Washington State's most influential champions of electoral reform. Born into a close-knit Tacoma family in 1932, Pearsall-Stipek's life changed dramatically in 1964 when her four-year-old son Joe was diagnosed as deaf. Her fight to ensure Joe received proper education launched a decades-long career in public service.

 

Through personal tragedy – including her first husband Ralph's devastating battle with multiple sclerosis, and her own breast cancer diagnosis – Pearsall-Stipek emerged as a formidable political force. From the PTA to the Washington State Legislature to the Pierce County Auditor's office, she faced down the men she called "the Big Boys," powerbrokers who repeatedly told her: You can't do that. Time and again, she proved them wrong, modernizing election systems and spearheading the movement toward mail-in voting that would eventually transform Washington's electoral landscape.

 

Despite relentless opposition, including multiple recall attempts and smear campaigns, Pearsall-Stipek revolutionized Pierce County's voting systems, increasing accessibility while maintaining security. Her innovative approaches to election administration earned her an appointment to the National Commission on Election Standards and Reform, whose work shaped the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

 

This memoir weaves together family drama, political intrigue, and social change to tell the story of how one woman's refusal to accept the status quo affected hundreds of thousands of voters. From her childhood aboard her father's beloved boat to her role as an advisor to election officials across the country, Pearsall-Stipek's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact one person can have when they dare to act with integrity and purpose.

 

More than just a political memoir, this is the story of a mother, wife, and grandmother whose dedication to family fueled her fierce advocacy for positive change. Through triumphs and setbacks, love and loss, Pearsall-Stipek's unwavering determination to improve the lives of others offers inspiring examples of love, citizenship, and leadership in action.