One person really can make a difference.

It takes a lot of dedication, time and patience, but inspiring change in Federal Way is possible.

Betty Taylor, 53, is a prime example.

She is not a public speaking master. She does not always know who can best assist her in accomplishing her goals. Her attire does not scream professional. But she makes up for all this with her persistence and passion to see Federal Way become a better place to live and visit.

“It’s not all in how you dress. It’s about what you can get done,” Taylor said. “I really like advocacy a lot because you can get things done.”

In past years, a handful of public safety issues and city improvements have been inspired by citizens like Taylor, who took the time to share their ideas with the city council and staff, city council member Jim Ferrell said.

“It’s great when people come to us and say, ‘this is a situation that you may not be aware of,’” Ferrell said.

That is what Taylor does. Her ideas on how the city can improve come to her through life experiences, she said. A trip to Washington, D.C., filled her head with thoughts of timed crosswalk signals in Federal Way. A trip to California got Taylor thinking about how her local police department could decrease auto theft through the use of cameras able to identify stolen vehicles.

The city now features timed crosswalk signals. The city is also a partner in a theft prevention and information sharing task force called PATROL, which aims to recover stolen vehicles. Rampant rodents at Taylor’s apartment complex inspired her to pursue more trash compactors there.

Her most recent accomplishment was convincing The Commons mall management to invest in baskets and new batteries for mobility scooters offered for use at the mall. The task required Taylor to speak with city staff, city council, the state’s Attorney General, State Rep. Skip Priest and mall management.

Taylor thinks mall management just expected her to go away: “I felt I was being brushed off,” she said.

Taylor pioneers her ideas mostly alone, but she has yet to give up on something she feels could benefit Federal Way citizens.

“I think if you believe in something, you have to go with it,” Taylor said. “’No’, doesn’t work.”

She considers herself an advocate for the community and the disabled. She attends city council and school board meetings and pays attention to what is happening in the city. She does not particularly like public speaking, but she capitalizes on the opportunity to address city officials.

“I just feel so stupid,” Taylor said. “I’m like, I have a stupid idea in my head, what will they think?”

Taylor does not get credit for many of her ideas that come to fruition. In fact, she was unaware that the city chose to install the timed crosswalks she suggested until she was contacted by The Mirror. Yet, Taylor continues to act on what some might classify as whimsical fantasies. When she tells friends and family about her ideas, they often react with comments like, “Oh Betty, oh Betty, there she goes again,” Taylor said.

For now, Taylor will give her mind a rest. She does not have any projects she is pursuing. Inspiring change is not always an easy process, nor a quick one, but it can be accomplished.

“John F. Kennedy said ‘One person can make a difference and every person should try,’” Ferrell said. “I believe that because all it takes is for one person to come to a city council meeting.”

Contact Jacinda Howard: jhoward@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.

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City council meetings take place at 7 p.m. every first and third Tuesday at City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S. School board meetings take place at the same time and location every second and fourth Tuesday. Every meeting offers a public comment session.