This interview I've left structured as a conversation, as it suits the style of
the charming, inestimable Mona Lake Jones, who was Poet Laureate for
both Seattle and King County. She's selflessly served her community in a variety
of ways, detailed below giving her a unique and thoughtful take on the Central Area both then and now.
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Mona Lake Jones. Photo: Madeline Crowley ©
I think that’s another unacknowledged thing. Is to be first is to be very lonely. To be the only is very lonely. It goes against every human instinct to go into a situation when you’re not wanted.
Absolutely. I’ve been there. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been there. I cannot tell you how many times I have been the only, the first. Coming from Spokane going to school there at Washington State University, WSU, then coming to Seattle. I mean I have been the first (pause) and the lonely (laughs) lots and lots and lots of times.
Well, it’s not really my place to but I do thank you for that, many people you’ll never ever meet have benefited.
Absolutely. I really do realize that.
Still, it’s a burden that other people don’t even realize you’ve had to carry...
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| Wedding Day. Joe & Mona Jone. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| News articles on Joe Jones difficulties in finding a place to rent. |
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| Grandhoney. Mona's Grandmother. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona's Baby Picture. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona and her mother. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona's Maternal Great-Grandmother. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Apartment Building 26th & John. Photo: Madeline Crowley |
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| Mona as Majorette. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona with her father as a Debutante. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona & Joe Jones and their children. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Lake Family Christmas. Spokane. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona Lake Jones. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary. Photo: Madeline Crowley |
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| Family Portrait. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Wedding Day. Bridesmaids. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona Lake and Joe Jones. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona with her daughter-in-law, granddaughter and son. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona and Joe Dancing. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona and her daughter. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona at an event with her published books. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| One of two Rose Bowl games while Joe was on the UW team. |
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| Joe Skiing. Collection: Mona & Jone Jones |
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| Mt Zion Baptist Church. Photo: Madeline Crowley |
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| Joe Jones Star Football Player. University of WA. Collection: Joe Jones |
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| Mona's mother and her Grandmas. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona & Joe Apartment Building from back in the day as it appears now. Photo: Madeline Crowley |
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| Family snapshot. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
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| Mona's Grandmother, Grandhoney. Collection: Mona Lake Jone |
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| Mona & her father at the Debutante Ball. Collection: Mona Lake Jones |
Transcribed by the lovely, smart and indispensable Andrea Lai, to whom we owe a great debt of thanks.
© Madeline Crowley People of the Central Area 2015 All material is covered by copyright. Express written permission must be given for any copyrighted material on this page. Email to request permission to copy or paste materials.
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This project was supported in part by
4Culture's Heritage Projects program |
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