Community Champion: Jean Ralston
“When you’re a part of an organization, it gives you a purpose. It gives you a sisterhood. So many things that are to be gained.” – Jean Ralston.
If you walk into Bourbon and Barleys at 11:30 a.m on the second Tuesday of the month, you will run into a group of women making a big impact.
The Jackson’s Woman Club.
“We’re the best kept secret in Jackson,” said former president of the club, Jean Ralston.
The Jackson woman’s club, was founded in 1908 and is believed to be one of the oldest service organizations in Jackson.
Ralston says literacy is near and dear to their hearts.
“One of our most important projects is our poetry contest for ages, the grades one through 12. So it covers all of the schools, the public and the private schools,” shared Ralston.
The reason behind the contest is for children to be able to express themselves freely.
“There are no topics. They’re free to just write about anything that’s on their heart,” Ralston explained. “And it is amazing what some of these children will write and what we find out about them.”
The Jackson woman’s club also sponsors the Jackson Juniorettes.
They’ve grown from 8 girls three years ago, to now having 60.
“We feel this is so important because it teaches girls service. It teaches them if you get a heart for service at this age, it’ll stay with you. So we’ve just been so excited at the explosion of these young girls. And the interest that they have in, in all these service projects,” Ralston shared.
The club also partners with Nova Early Learning Center.
The club also partners with Nova Early Learning Center.
“At Christmas time, we have a member who is Mrs. Claus, and she goes and reads, and we all go and serve cookies and milk, and then when they have Read Across America, we go to read to them,” Ralston shared.
She says it has been a joy to be part of the organization, and that it’s so beneficial, especially if you’re retired.
“More people rust out, then wear out. And so, you have something to offer. You have something to offer out there. So, don’t, don’t just sit down and rust,” Ralston advised. “There are people, there are people who need you to be active.”
She says in Jackson there are numerous ways to plug in and be of service to your community.
“I think through service, each of us has found a fulfillment, so, make time. I would encourage young women to make time to get involved. When you serve your community, it always comes back to you.”
Earlier this month, Ralston stepped down from her position as president, passing the baton to the next leader.
If you know someone doing good in their community, you can nominate them for the Community Champion award by clicking here.
