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Translating to Empower: Sonia Williams

In this year’s Philanthopy Issue we bring you the stories of eight people inspiring others in our community.

Sonia Williams doesn’t let her talent go to waste. She’s a native Spanish speaker and understands the difficulty of being surrounded by a strange culture and an unfamiliar language. Williams volunteers by interpreting and helping Spanish speakers in Door County navigate all-English doctor appointments, apartment leases and government agencies.

“Coming from another culture into a whole new system can be pretty scary, especially when you don’t know the language and you can’t ask questions,” she said. “I know exactly what it feels like to come to a new place and feel lost. I think that’s the main reason I like doing this – I’ve been on the other side.”

Williams has worked with the Community Clinic of Door County, was an English Language Liaison at Sevastopol School District and is always on call to help people interpret.

“People just call me up when they need help,” she said. “Since I left Sevastopol School the students I was helping there sometimes will call me up and ask me ‘how do you say this word in English’… I’ve kept in touch with some of those students from Sevastopol, just to let them know I’m here for them if they need anything.”

Williams’ husband graduated from Sevastopol and the couple met in Chicago. Twelve years ago, after they grew tired of city life, they moved to Door County. When she saw the community’s need for language interpreting, Williams took up the call.

“I never imagined I was going to be doing this kind of work,” she said. “It kind of just happened after we moved to Door County, with the jobs that I had and seeing the need in the county for bilingual services.”

Williams is studying to become a certified medical interpreter, and has taken classes in medical and legal interpreting in the past. The classes teach her memory tricks for long conversations and a deeper background in medical and legal vocabulary, but Williams said the most important part of interpreting is confidentiality. As an interpreter, she is just the voice of the people communicating. But sometimes, as a friend, she likes to encourage the people she helps.

“I like to talk to people, depending on what situation they’re in,” Williams said. “I like to encourage people to better themselves, to say ‘you can learn this language, I was just like you and look at me.’ To empower them, to not look at them like victims because I know they’re not.”

Williams continues to look for work and volunteer opportunities interpreting Spanish and English. She knows the need is there, and helping people communicate is satisfying work.

“It’s been rewarding,” Williams said. “I just feel like you can make a difference in people’s lives with so little. If you have a talent, a gift you can share, why not?”

To get in touch with Williams about interpretation help, contact [email protected].