Volunteering allows woman to meet ‘amazing people’

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By Sandra Baer, Contributing Writer 12:45 PM Friday, August 26, 2011

Tiffany Shaw-Diaz enjoys her full-time job doing financial research, but finds true fulfillment in the volunteering she does after hours. She recently started a volunteer position at SICSA in order to help the animals waiting to be adopted.

“I grew up around cats, dogs, hamsters and fish, so I enjoy volunteering for SICSA,” said Shaw-Diaz, who started volunteering when she was 20-years-old. “You meet such amazing people when you volunteer. I like being connected to something bigger than myself. I think people need to feel connected to something.”

Shaw-Diaz was born in Miamisburg, but moved to Centerville in elementary school. She graduated from Archbishop Alter High School in 2002, and took classes at Sinclair before graduating cum laude with a degree in art history from Wright State University in 2007.

A very artistic student, Shaw-Diaz blossomed while in college studying art. In addition to her volunteer work at the Dayton Art Institute where she interned twice, she also served on the Centerville Arts Commission, the Kettering Arts Council, joined the Dayton Visual Arts Center and was selected student coordinator of the Cline Exhibition. Her artistic abilities flowed over into the written word as well. While in college, she began writing freelance articles for newspapers and magazines. She also met her husband, English transplant, Richard Diaz at that time and the couple wed in 2006.

“He is so incredible,” said Shaw-Diaz of her husband, Richard, who trains volunteers and produces and edits television programs for the Miami Valley Communications Council. “He has a wealth of knowledge. He taught me to how to edit. We collaborated on a documentary about the Side Show, an underground art show. We taped the events and interviewed the organizer and the artists.”

Shaw-Diaz and her husband won a national award for their documentary. Shaw-Diaz went on to produce 13 episodes of Art Talk, a studio talk show shot in high contrast black and white to highlight art work. The monthly show on the cable access show earned Shaw-Diaz three regional awards.

Shaw-Diaz also is a member of The Dayton Area Harp Ensemble. She was interested in the harp, but didn’t begin playing the instrument until receiving one as a college graduation gift. Her musical ability extends to dancing as well. As a child, she performed in a pre-professional role with the Gem City Ballet, and currently takes Middle Eastern dancing classes at Kira’s Oasis in Centerville.

“It’s so nice to be in a dance class where you don’t have to be self-conscious about your body type,” said Shaw-Diaz, who enjoys the exercise.

Shaw-Diaz gained national attention when she was interviewed by CNN.com in 2007 for an award she received for her work as a volunteer for the United Nations. Working online, she helped coordinate efforts to build a health center in a remote part of Uganda.

Contact this columnist at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.

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