Elinor Gray Lisa I Women's History Month

Today, for the 25th day of the Women's History Month project, we are celebrating this beautiful woman

Meet, Elinor Gray Lisa (Elli Lisa), 41, a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter, an advocate for paid leave and creator of the FaceBook group page - Paid Leave for ME in 2019. www.facebook.com/paidleaveforme

Elinor (Elli) was born in Blue Hill Maine! The second daughter of Peter and Judy Gray. Her father was a minister at the Blue Hill Baptist church. At around age 7, her family moved to Gorham for a couple of years and ended up settling in Falmouth. Elli graduated from FHS in 1998 and went on to study at the Hartt School of Music in West Hartford CT. Elli got her Bachelor's degree in Music with studies in voice and audio engineering in 2002.

After a 3 year stint in Los Angeles California, Elli moved back to Maine. Elli's mother often refers to those years in LA as Elli's Masters Degree in life.

Back in Maine, Elli pursued her love of singing, playing piano and writing songs. She performed often in Portland and recorded a CD - "This Fight" which was released in 2007. Elli sang Soprano for several years with the Choral Art Society in the Masterworks and Singers choruses. She was very fortunate to be a part of the Choral Art Society Christmas at the Cathedral performances. Her solo on Paul Halley's The Rain is Over and Gone is featured on the Choral Art Christmas at the Cathedral CD.

Professionally, Elli started working in Human Resources. She studied for and received her Professional Human Resources Certificate in 2011.

Elli and her husband Owen, got married in 2010. Like most young couples, Elli and Owen decided it was time to start a family. They had no idea the journey this would take them on. One of the most challenging times in Elli's life was struggling to conceive. When Elli finally had a viable pregnancy, they realized in the third trimester that the baby was not gaining much weight. The baby had Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).

This was a very stressful time for Elli. No one knew why this was happening or what it meant for the baby. Was the baby going to be ok? Elli's son Henry was born just shy of 36 weeks and weighed 3 lbs 12 oz. After 3 weeks in the NICU at Maine Med, Elli and Owen were able to bring their healthy son home! Elli decided to leave her career in Human Resources to stay at home with him. Not too long after, their daughter Annie was born in 2017.

Having the experience of a child in the NICU, two babies so close together in age, and a background in human resources sparked an interest in advocating for a Paid Family Medical Leave System in Maine. Elli started the FaceBook group Paid Leave for ME in 2019. www.facebook.com/paidleaveforme

Elli believes that everyone will experience a life event within their lifetime. A new child, caring for a loved one, recovering from an illness, an addiction, a mental health crisis or surgery. During this life event it is important that every employee/worker/sole proprietor in Maine has access to paid leave from work. To accomplish this, legislation must be created and passed. Elli is also a member of the Maine Family Leave Coalition and does some contract work focused on Paid Leave for The Maine Women's Lobby. Advocating for Paid Leave is currently Elli's passion!

Elli's constant passion is being the best person she can be for herself, her two kids, husband, family and friends! Elli feels blessed to have such a supportive family, a wonderful therapist and medication to help with anxiety.

"If you focus on your own happiness and self worth, everything else will fall into place." Says Elli.

Elli's advice to all women:

"Go talk to someone. A therapist, a mentor, a pastor, a trusted advisor. Someone you feel safe and vunlenearlbe with. Put the real work in yourself. YOU.ARE.WORTH.IT! Learn tools to survive this crazy world and validate your emotions. Embrace your mistakes, that is how we learn. You are in control of you and you can do whatever you want! Life is hard, but love is powerful. Especially love in yourself!"

Elli currently lives in North Yarmouth, with her husband Owen and two children Henry (6) & Annie (4)! Elli loves yoga, walks, singing & laughing with her family & friends!

Here is another one of Elli's favorite quotes:

"Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable. It means to show up and be seen. To ask for what you need.

To talk about how you're feeling. To have the hard conversations."

- Brene Brown

******

Thank you, Elli, for sharing your story with us all! Very inspiring!

#whm #womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womenempowerment #mainephotographer

2 Comments

Mar 26, 2022, 7:13:53 AM

Lesley Murray - Thank you Eli! I’d love to support the cause in some way. Life events happen to all and paid leave would improve overall health in the community!❤️❤️❤️

Mar 26, 2022, 12:39:06 AM

Faith Gray - Elli is my niece. To see her photos and read her story brings me joy. O'Donnell Photography, your women's history month project is inspiring. Thank you.

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