What does Empowering Women mean to you?
Making sure my hand is always out to bring up the next woman. Demonstrating by my actions there is always room for one more woman.
How did you get started working in your field?
The quick version? I was a single mother and I needed a career not just a job. My child needed braces and we needed health benefits. I had always wanted to be a cop but was afraid and didn't think anyone would want me.
What do you love most about your job? / What are you most proud of?
Getting to interact with people. Knowing that someone some where remembers me and the impact I had on their life. I am proud that I consciously tried to positively impact people, even when they didn't want it. I am very proud that as I rose up the ladder, I purposefully reached out to the women employees. I made sure they knew they belonged as much as the men. I had a direct hand in getting several of them promoted.
What advice would you give to someone considering this line of work?
Absolutely do it! It is hard, you will be afraid, you will be alone, some of the men won't like you and you will have to work twice as hard. And it will be the biggest thing you will ever do in your life. You will look back and know you really made a change in the world. The experiences will be life changing.
Anything else you would like to add?
I have had three distinct lives: childhood in a cult, college graduate at 50 with a successful professional life raising to the rank of Major in law enforcement and then selling everything I own to travel fulltime in an RV. It been a heck of a ride.
Connect with Jenell: @winsrvclub
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