Every month POPLINEN highlights a woman in our community who is doing something noteworthy in her respective industry. It’s something we look forward to because in a lot of ways our newsletter showcases our raison d’être––celebrating women and being a vehicle for positive change in their lives.
This April, we put the spotlight on Jeanette Christian, a dear to friend to the brand and staffer for California US Senator, Dianne Feinstein. It's no easy job at a time like this. She is responsible for local stakeholder and community leader engagement on a range of issues (on top of being a wonderful mom to an angel-faced baby boy and loving wife to a very talented artist husband).
Jeanette's work lives at the intersection of public service and social justice. Her focus and portfolio are homelessness and housing, child welfare, immigration reform, gun violence prevention, and transportation. Turning it over to this hard-working lady on a range of topics from COVID to how she retreats and relaxes after a long day working in government. Enjoy!
POPLINEN (P): How has COVID-19 affected your work / life balance?
JEANETTE (J): Like most of the world, I’m adjusting and trying to do so from a place of abundance and resilience. Before the virus, I was traveling across Los Angeles County to different cities, events, and meetings. Now, I’m at home in my bedroom office with my toddler son and husband. I’m on many calls and emails daily, and also provide information and resources to California communities. I continue to monitor the crisis daily. I take care to balance immediate, urgent needs with longer-term recovery efforts––both of which continue to evolve at a rapid pace.
(P): What are some ways people can help do their part in this time?
(J): I reflect a lot about being on the right side of history. How this crisis has brought out a lot of the systemic issues in our institutions. The ways you could've helped a month ago are still the ways you can help now. Donating your time, talent, and money if you're able. I think you assess what you can offer and begin with your immediate community needs. Staying home if you can, of course.
(P): What do you do to unplug and retreat after a busy day?
(J): I started taking evening bubble baths with my 18 month old son. It’s the most calming and cleansing time, and after a long day there’s nothing better.
(P): A quote you live by, or pull inspiration from?
(J): I lived in the Middle East for a time, and the last few years this Arab proverb seems to embody my vibe. When applied to love, to motherhood, to public service, to taking risks, to work..."when danger approaches, sing to it.”
(P): What's your advice to others interested / looking to get into public service?
(J): Go where you are needed and invest in your community. It’s an honor to be a part of something greater. “I think the importance of doing activist work is precisely because it allows you to give back and to consider yourself not as a single individual who may have achieved whatever, but to be a part of an ongoing historical movement.” –Angela Davis
(P): Wisdom you would share with your younger self?
(J): The world is not yours to save! You will be known by how you love. The weight of the world is not on your shoulders.
(P): Something you love about yourself?
(J): My gritty hope. I have faith in the intersections of all things, and am sure we all belong to each other. Better together, always.
