'Let freedom ring' | A library assistant

The Wenatchee World is asking residents a series of patriotic questions throughout July as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. This is the first installment.

Mary Rowles, 30, is a library assistant at North Central Washington Libraries. She was born in Virginia and moved with her family to Wenatchee in 2000. Rowles graduated from Wenatchee High School in 2014 and has worked as a library assistant since April.

The Wenatchee World: What does freedom mean to you?

Rowles: "I like this question. I think freedom, for me, is choice. Freedom to choose how I want my life to be. Freedom to get an education, to work, to open a bank account, like so many women before me, couldn't. Opportunity and choice, I think, are big for me; freedom to live authentically as who I am. And to be able to direct my life as I see fit without being told I need to fit in a certain box, or be a certain way, or something like that."

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This story was originally published July 2, 2026 at 12:19 PM.