As I thought about what to write this month, I wanted to touch on Women’s History Month. There are so many incredible women making a difference in this industry, and I am honored and humbled to serve you all! Check out our social media channels this month, as we highlight some of our fabulous female leaders.

I love to ask people who a favorite female role model is. I admire so many women in my life, so, just for fun, I thought I would tell you a little bit about my biggest female role model, my grandmother, Wilma Blanche Patterson. Wilma was a nurse in the Army during the final years of WW2. In fact, Wilma and my grandpa met in Verdun, France after France was liberated. They returned home and settled in his home town of Batesville, Indiana and were married for over 50 years! Just before her 90^th birthday in 2011, I sat her down for an interview. She thought it was ridiculous to be interviewed, but she played along with me, reluctantly!

Wilma grew up on a farm in rural Pennsylvania. My share cropping great-grandparents worked hard to save up enough money to buy some land, but lost it all during the stock market crash in the 1920s. As such, she was a generally a no-nonsense type of gal, but when it came to family, especially grandkids, she was a softie. I thought I would share some of my favorite responses.

What was your favorite toy as a child? A flashlight. It was dark in the country! But then when the batteries ran out, we never had any money to replace them.

Did you receive an allowance? Heavens no!

What was your profession and how did you choose it? Nurse. I was always going to be a nurse. I enlisted voluntarily and my mother was mad.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? My nursing career. I liked to work.

What would you say is the key to a successful marriage? Perseverance.

Of all the lessons you learned from your parents, which do you feel was most valuable? Honesty.

We all know that when your time is up on this earth, you will never wish you worked more, but I always found it very inspirational to have a female role model in my life who enjoyed her career and found it truly rewarding. Although we lost her in 2016, I know that she is so proud of me, but she would have also been so proud of the work ULI is doing for women and other marginalized communities. She would have LOVED to attend the Equitable Development Summit last summer!

Thanks all!

Jen Mitchen