About Diana! I grew up in Illinois and earned a BA in English Studies at Illinois State University. I met my husband, Jason Blackman, at college and we moved to Washington, DC where we lived for more than a decade. While there I worked for a number of political and advocacy organizations and earned a Masters degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park. We moved to Mahomet more than 11 years ago to be closer to family in Illinois. We have two daughters, Olivia and Amelia.
- If you could change one thing about the last year what would you change?
If I could wave a wand and change anything it would be the existence of the coronavirus that has killed nearly 440,000 people in our country alone.
- Is there anything new you tried last year? How was your experience?
I learned to bake bread and knit in the last year. I’m still not super great at either but I’m learning and like the methodical nature of both.
- How many languages do you speak? Would you learn another language if you had the chance? Which one?
Alas, I don’t speak a second language fluidly. I studied Latin in high school and Spanish in college. If I could learn another language, it would definitely be Spanish.
- What do you do in your free time?
In my spare time, I enjoy knitting, baking bread and volunteering with various community groups and causes.
- If you can go back and change one thing about yourself/ life what would that be?
There are certainly many instances of better decisions I could have made in my life but generally I suppose I wouldn’t really change anything. I’m generally happy with my life and all of the decision points throughout it have brought me to this place.
- What’s your favorite movie/tv show/book?
There are far too many to pick! One of my favorite plays/movies is Steel Magnolias. One of my favorite books is the Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker. I’m also a huge Harry Potter fan!
- Have you been to any countries outside of the United States? If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
When I was 15 I had the opportunity to go to the Soviet Union through a program called People to People Friendship Caravan. Through work, I’ve traveled to Nairobi, Kenya and London, England. My husband and I talk about retiring somewhere out west, like Montana or Wyoming, because the land is so beautiful there.
- How important is your culture to you?
This is kind of a tricky question since “culture” can mean so many things. My mom’s grandparents were immigrants so I would hear a lot about Polish and German culture but I don’t identify with those as my own, since we’re several generations removed now. I am a big believer of respecting cultures that are not my own and recognizing that the diversity of cultures and experiences, especially those that I don’t identify with, is what makes our country strong.
- To you, what is the meaning of life?
Work hard, be kind.
- Have you done any kind of dangerous sports or adrenaline pumping activities? What was it?
I’m not a thrill seeker so the most dangerous activity I’ve done as an adult is a roller coaster or very tall water slide. My kids think I’m a total wimp on rides – and they’re right!
