PRESS RELEASE
Anna Blanch Rabe to embark on American Identity Tour
Alamogordo, New Mexico — Have you ever wanted to explore the vastness of the lower 48 by train? Have you ever imagined what it would be like to cross the US on Amtrak? Anna Blanch Rabe has. What started out as a plan B in case her husband was deployed again has ended up becoming a way of seeking to understand what it means to be American.
“Military Spouses often look for ways to make the most of a deployment. I always try and have some fun adventures planned out so that I can see the silver lining in long temporary assignments and deployments.” This time though, it is Anna’s husband who will be left at home. “He’s not deployed now, so the original impetus has changed. But, I am looking forward to being able eligible to apply for US citizenship later this year and I felt like a multi-state journey around the USA via train would be a great way to explore what it means to be American and to see more of north America.”
Rabe also plans to use the trip to write the final chapters of a manuscript, tentatively titled “Not a Pedestrian Life” during the 28 day journey. “Not a Pedestrian Life” is memoir about her experiences living across three continents, her own military service, as well as how she went from a childhood in rural New South Wales, Australia, to living in Southern New Mexico, via France, Scotland, and central Texas.
“As an immigrant to the US, I have felt less welcome over the last 12 months than I ever have. It is not always fun sounding different. But, I am eligible to apply for citizenship later this summer, and I wanted to see more of the US and be exposed to the thoughts of people along the way about what it means to be American. I also wanted to challenge myself and my startup company throughout the trip.”
Founder and CEO of Anna Blanch Rabe & Associates, a boutique communications consulting company, Anna Rabe has lived in New Mexico for 3 years, first in eastern New Mexico in Clovis, and now in Southern New Mexico. “I have been almost constantly on the move since I left home to join the Army at eighteen. I have traveled solo around Europe, Asia and Australia. While my husband is my favorite person to travel with, this journey is mine alone – and will be a working trip.”
As a member of the Rotary Club of White Sands, Anna is hoping to visit Rotary clubs in some of the 24 states she will be visiting, as well as speaking at meetings, and to groups of non profit leaders and social entrepreneurs. Anna also currently serves on the board of the newly rebranded Thrive in Southern New Mexico (formerly United Way of Otero County) as well as the Alamogordo Housing Authority Board.
Ms Blanch Rabe will leave from El Paso Amtrak station heading east on 24 July, and will make her way across to Washington DC before heading to Portland, Oregon via Chicago. She’ll then fly to Louisville, Kentucky to participate in the V-WIZE entrepreneurship and small business management conference before returning to her journey, traveling from Chicago to Grand Junction, Colorado on the main western line. She’ll finish up in late August, returning to Alamogordo before the end of the month.
She will writing about her progress on her “Not a Pedestrian Life” website (www.annablanchrabe.com/napl) as well as posting in real time on her instagram (www.instagram.com/annie_rabe).
— End of Release —
Photo Credit: Stacey Benson, Stacey Benson Photography
Photo Credit: Creative Commons Licensed Image, with edits made by Anna Blanch Rabe
About Anna Blanch Rabe:
Anna Blanch Rabe is an Australian-born speaker, writer and advocate. Passionate about businesses who are committed to their communities, non-profits and social enterprises, she works to help leaders share their stories and grow strong and vibrant communities. In 2016, she founded her company Anna Blanch Rabe & Associates, which intentionally does 50% of its work on a pro bono basis. Anna focuses on the socially responsible business & non profit management & communications space specializing in Woman-Forward Businesses, Legal Professionals, Non Profit Organizations and Social Enterprises seeking to grow community capacity, and non profit organizations seeking to diversify revenue generation.
Currently living in the land of enchantment (New Mexico), she’s a proud United States Air Force Spouse and was honored to be named 2016 AFI Military Spouse of the Year for Cannon AFB. Together, she and her husband enjoy traveling, ultrarunning (that’s definitely her husband), and ticking off items from their bucket list. Anna can get vociferous when discussing international rugby and enjoys all the time she gets to spend with her five nieces.
If you are interested in having Anna speak to your group, organization or company, please fill out this form.
About Anna Blanch Rabe & Associates:
Anna Blanch Rabe & Associates LLC is a boutique Communications Consulting firm for Non Profit Organizations, Social Enterprises, and Socially Responsible Businesses. Specializing in services for lawyers, small businesses, social enterprises, non profits, educational institutions and individual academics and scholars, we work to develop and effectively execute strategic, digital, and narrative initiatives to gain exposure, develop community capacity, diversify revenue generation, attract talent, and reach new customers.
For more information about Anna Blanch Rabe & Associates call 575-446-3545 or submit a request through the contact form.
About V-WISE:
Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) is a premier training program in entrepreneurship and small business management. V-WISE helps women veterans and female military spouses/partners find their passion and learn the business savvy skills necessary to turn an idea or start-up into a growing venture. The three-phases of the program include a 15-day online course (Phase I), 3-day entrepreneurship training event (Phase II), and ongoing mentorship, training and support opportunities for graduates launching or growing their business (Phase III).
V-WISE is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the generous philanthropic support of corporate and foundation partners nationwide. The program is open to all women veterans, active duty female service members and female partners/spouses of active service members and veterans who share the goal of launching and growing a sustainable business venture.
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