Five Questions: Sandra Jones

Q: What is the goal and purpose of the council?

A: We work closely with agencies and community-based organizations to build awareness and promote enhancement of the lives of Missouri women and families.

One of the things we do is the pink license plates, which raise funds for Missouri women who are underinsured for breast cancer awareness, mammograms and Pap exams, and we work closely with other agencies on awareness of those health issues. We work closely with the governor’s office on issues that are of interest to him and the first lady.

Q: What services do you offer to the state’s businesswomen?

A: Last year, we started a program for women-owned businesses. (The Women-Owned Business Network) helps women in operating their businesses, with all the technical issues, and then getting out their information. Anyone can go to the Web site (www.wobnetwork.mo.gov) and find resources about these people and contact them for their goods and services.

We do a women’s resource guide (that’s) chock-full of information about educational opportunities, how to start your own business, different organizations and resources, and possible careers.

Q: How and why did you join the council?

A: We serve two-year terms – I’m in my second term. Members are appointed by the governor, and it’s bipartisan – they’re women from all over the state. We also have two senators and two representatives on the council. I was truly honored to be recommended, and then when the governor appointed me, I was flattered to serve in this capacity. For me, it’s a wonderful opportunity at my place in life that I can do things to help women in the state of Missouri with all of these issues.

Q: Tell me about your professional history.

A: My husband’s mother had a family business – Hacker’s, a women’s clothing store in Bolivar. When she retired, I went in with (my husband) on the business and worked with him for almost 30 years. The store was wonderful, but retail was wearing us out, and it ceased to be fun. So we closed the store and went out on our own. … We were in our 50s, and we decided we wanted to do something other than retail for the rest of our lives. We both had college degrees, and we both got jobs immediately. Then this opportunity came up. It’s funny; after graduating college, I started out working for a college president, and then I became Dr. Norman Myers’ executive secretary here. Now, Dr. (Hal) Higdon has come on, so I’ve had the pleasure of working with three college presidents.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: My grandchildren. When I have a few free days, I head to Fort Smith, Ark., to see the grandchildren: my 13-year-old grandson, Jay Jackson, and my 11-year-old granddaughter, Elizabeth Jackson.

I’ve worked all my life and never really been a hobby person. I’ve been involved in music and theater – that was my degree in college, communications and theater – so I’ve been in a lot of musicals and done a lot of performing in my career. I’ve been in a lot of Springfield Little Theatre productions, but not since I started working here – I just don’t have the time to give to it. I don’t do the usual playing golf or bridge or whatever the other ladies that lunch do.

Interview by Jeremy Elwood.