Sarah's Story: From a Southern Daughter to a Western Princess

Bio: Donna Longwell CCEP
Donna Longwell was born and raised in the beautiful state of Washington. She grew up with three brothers and a sister on a farm in the small community of Kingston. Her interest in history, love of historic novels and time spent listening to her grandmother's stories led her to write this novel, based on the life of her great grandmother, Sarah Letha Ann Coleman. Through her research she has been blessed to connect with dozens of relatives from coast to coast.
Donna's 40 plus years in the hospitality and tourism industry has included successful business ownership of a small chain of restaurants, a catering business and a motor coach and tour company. During that long career she served on numerous boards and advisory committees to the North Kitsap and Seattle School districts and the National Academy Foundation's Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. During her time as the Event director at Highline College, Ms. Longwell was awarded the certification as a Collegiate Event Professional, a designation held by only 70 people in the United States and Canada. After writing dozens of curriculum and lectures, she is now retired from sharing that knowledge with students at Highline College and Central Washington University where she was faculty for the Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism degrees and prepared students for internships and employment.
Donna is married to her husband Brian Sully, has three children, three stepchildren, 14 grandchildren and beautiful great granddaughters.