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Seattle City (spot)Light: Cecelia Miller, Gardener

The Basics

How long have you been at City Light? I started in January 2018 and am coming up on my five-year anniversary. 

Division: Vegetation Management  

Tell us about your role. What does your job entail? I’m a gardener. Here at City Light, it can mean a lot of different things day to day. My favorite thing is to add color to our landscapes with flowers. But we do a lot of different things, including cleaning up the yards inside of the substations, taking care of some of our decommissioned sites as well as maintaining grounds around the service centers and substations. We also create pollinator-friendly landscapes, which has been so rewarding. 

Background

Hometown: Aurora, Colo. 

Alma Mater: Pickens Tech, One Yoga Denver, Black Dog School of Yoga 

Discipline/Trade of study: Horticulture management and yoga 

Tell us about your family: I have a loving husband of 21 years who just started in the warehouse a few months ago. If you see him at the North Service Center, say hi to Phylip! We have two kids in their 20s who have brought in their loves, so we really have four kids. 😊 Our oldest has a 5-year-old son named Gabe. He is the light of our lives. 

Just for Fun

What has been your favorite project you’ve work on/have been working on at City Light? Why?  I love working on the gardens at the North Service Center. The gardens have had so much love over the years, I love adding to them and watching the plants grow. The people who work at the service center as well as the neighbors always tell me how much they appreciate our work. People have told me they drive from other neighborhoods to come and walk our blocks. 

What obstacles have you overcome in your career? Being female in a male dominated field has been one of my biggest obstacles. I feel like over the years I have worked hard to prove myself as an equal. Some may say I work harder than most men. I’m proud to be a strong woman. 

Who do you admire the most? My Aunt Becky is a vibrant human who isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. She loves her family so much, but she also will take no guff. She holds a ton of powerlifting medals and has a strong yoga practice. 

What is your idea of a perfect day? A nice hike with a bit of yoga followed by some good food and booze. Finish it up with some stargazing. 

What is your favorite local restaurant? Amorn Thai on 56th in Mountlake Terrace. It’s a cash only family-owned restaurant. Their food is so fresh and tasty.