Jobs I Did, and did not, love

Feb 1

When I was 12 years old my dad got me my social security number. I think he figured I was child labor and had better start saving for retirement.

Whatever his reasoning, he put me to work painting his horse fencing that encompassed his 900-acre horse farm in Pennsylvania. It was a summer job, and the paint was stinky (probably toxic) and way too white. I was paid 25 cents an hour.

I then got a job in his nursing home as a nurse’s aide where I bathed, dressed, emptied bed pans and fed wonderful elderly people. I eventually graduated to the breakfast cook and learned how to make rice pudding, oatmeal, fresh fruit juices and watery broths. The people loved me, and I believe I lifted their spirits and brought them joy along with their daily enemas.

After college I took a job with my dad’s accountant who chased me around the office and tried to kiss me. I quit and moved to Cambridge where I worked in Harvard’s microbiology department for the notable DNA dude Dr. James Watson. I fell in love with one of the professors who was way older than me and we had a fling that only lasted until I met my future husband.

Rick and I moved to Vermont after our son was born, and I took a job for an upstart company that managed the billing and business affairs for the doctor groups at the University of Vermont Medical Center. During this time, I was growing and selling pot to support our income. It was illegal—oh yes—but it helped pay the bills and I was very popular.

I left work to have my baby girl. Rick and I spent five years producing a film, “Legends of American Skiing” (considered one of the top ten ski films ever made). But there was no money in documentary film making and we were literally starving so I took a job with a new development company hoping to redevelop the Burlington Waterfront.

This is where I landed for 40 years. It was a great job and as the CEO I helped create 250,000-square-feet of built environment on the shores of Lake Champlain. This job afforded my kids their educations and gave us a decent standard of living.

Now I am repurposed (retired) and am back making films with my husband. I have come full circle in 62 years of working a job. I don’t get paid any more for what I do, and I can only hope that the social security checks keep on coming and Medicare keeps paying my health care costs.

Otherwise, I may have to go back to painting fences and emptying bed pans.

Melinda Moulton

In May of 2022, Melinda Moulton joined her husband Rick Moulton as Executive Producer of the documentary film company they both founded in 1972. Rick Moulton Productions. She was involved in environmental and socially conscious redevelopment since 1983. Melinda provided the leadership to produce a 40-year incremental redevelopment project for the Burlington Vermont Waterfront, and spearheaded 250,000 square feet and thirty million dollars of built environment on Burlington’s Waterfront. Melinda Chaired the Boards of the Burlington Parking & Transportation Council, Burlington Business Association, Vermont Retail Association, and The Intervale Center. She served on the Boards of the YMCA, Lund Family Center, Chittenden East School District, Opportunities Credit Union, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, The Orton Family Foundation, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Main Street Alliance, Vermont Health Care for All, College Steps, The Folklife Center, Audubon Vermont, and the Vermont Arts Council. She was a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable. .
She presently serves on the Boards of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England's Action Fund, ACLU-Vermont, and the Williston Restorative Justice Center's Executive Council. Governor Peter Shumlin appointed Melinda to the Vermont Pathways From Poverty and The Vermont Commission on Women. Melinda served on the Advisory Councils of the Vermont Green Building Network, University of Vermont’s 2020 “Leading By Design” Sustainability Task Force, the Childhood Hunger Council of Chittenden County, and Patient Choices Vermont. She participated on the development and ultimate steering committee for the Burlington Legacy Project. She serves as a Trustee of the Community Sailing Center.
Melinda was honored by the Burlington Business Association with the Nathan Harris Award in recognition of her contribution to the economic vitality of downtown Burlington. She was also honored with the Vermont Business for Social Responsibilities Terry Ehrich Award. Melinda hosts her TV Interview Show "Moments with Melinda" on Channel 17, CCTV which is syndicated across the State of Vermont. Episodes can be seen on her web site www.melindamoulton.com.

Jobs I Did, and did not, love

How do we fight back?

On Revisiting the Bay Area