International Women's (Day Part 1)

March 8th is International Women's Day and we wanted to take time to shine a spotlight on a couple of the amazing women in our family. We're starting with Blair's partner, Jenny, and next week we will share Janet's story. Jenny is a nurse, a mother, an amazing chef, and an all around kick-ass lady!

Introduce yourself and tell us how you’re involved with Christies!

Hi, I’m Jenny. I like to call myself the “Blair enabler” but me and Blair are spouses. A lifetime ago, I worked at the bakery. I started working in the front of the bakery and then as a baker in the back of the bakery.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, it’s a day for solidarity. It’s also a reminder for all folks to get together and smash the patriarchy and paternalistic systems. The day makes me think how we have a lot of work ahead of us (and around us!) for womxn and equality, but it’s also a day to remind us of the hard work and sacrifices of those who have come before us.

What field of work are you in? Why did you choose it? What do you hope to accomplish in your field?

I’m a nurse. Currently working in the operating room, but was a float nurse on the wards before this gig. My mom was a nurse and perhaps that’s the initial reason I resisted this field, having to hear her war stories, but eventually, after having my 2 kids, I knew I needed to be able to stand on my own 2 feet, financially speaking. I really like this job now that I’m in it, but there’s a terrible saying that “nurses eat their young”. If I accomplish anything in this field, it’s to change the toxic culture and paternalistic attitudes that you see in nursing/medicine. There’s a better saying that I’ve heard in nursing and it’s something like “the best nurses were once bartenders” and that’s more my jam. You can get along with and relate to most folks, you know when it’s time to cut someone off, and you know how to discern what hill is worth dying on. Really, I’d love to be a part of the change of the culture in this field.

What are a few major accomplishments you’ve had this far in your life? This could be in academics, your profession, personally, whatever. Please don’t be humble.

Ugh. I don’t like to toot my own horn… I will say that I’m proud to have gotten through nursing school. I had 2 kids under 2yo and I remember typing papers in the night with one hand while nursing a baby. 0/5 stars. Would not recommend. But I had a lot of amazing women supporting me. My mom was my biggest fan and took care of the kids when I had to be at school and studying. She got sick and passed away as I started my last year of nursing school and then my best friend stepped up and got me through the next few years. I miss them both so much. I lost them both to cancer. Blair’s mom has been a rock in my life too. I’ve been blessed to have a lot of inspiring women around me.

What wisdom would you offer to young women? Maybe pertaining to education, work, anything.

Be FURIOUS! Fire tempers steel. Be able to stand on your own 2 feet because if you don’t stand for something (ie. yourself), you’ll fall for anything.

Who are a couple of female role models or mentors you’ve had in your life and why are they important to you?

All the moms around me, past and present. They are all so amazing. And you really have no idea how strong or what you are capable of until you try to raise a little future generation.

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