Michelle Caldier is one of seven children from a blue collar family growing up in Kitsap County. After her parents divorced, and her mother remarried, her step-father became abusive. At a young age she and her siblings spent years in foster care. At 17, she worked three jobs, lived on her own and supported her young siblings.

Michelle was dedicated to her education and at 19, she graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in cellular and molecular biology. She went on to be selected as one of 50 from 1,400 applicants to be admitted to the University of Washington College on Dentistry. She received her doctorate in 2001.

While in dental school, she worked in nursing homes providing dental care and became concerned with the lack of access to healthcare for many of the residents. After graduation, she began her business, Golden Age Dentistry, a mobile dental service providing care to elderly and debilitated in nursing homes around Puget Sound.

She is a mother of three, her biological daughter and a foster mother to two girls.

Michelle also serves as affiliate professor at the UW College of Dentistry and has served as the chair of the access to care committee of the Washington State Dental Association.

Last year, Michelle was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives as a representative of the 26th Legislative District. She serves on the education committee as well as government and technology and health care and wellness.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Sound Publishing’s Special Section, “Women of Achievement.”