They say if you want to get something done, give the task to a busy woman. Jeanette Jenkins, now in her late 80’s is one of La Mirada’s most distinguished and community driven women. Jenkins moved to La Mirada and has been involved in serving the community since 1961.

In those days it was unusual for women to be part of the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber was for the most part businessmen – and they had an Auxiliary chapter for the women. Jenkins was a member of the Soroptimist Club of La Mirada and the Business and Professional Women’s club.  She did such a great job that it was proposed that she run for a position on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors. “Oh, I remember that,” she laughed,”It was a big to-do! There had never been a woman as a member of the chamber, much less one that sat on the Board.” Jenkins recalled that there were several ‘gentlemen’ that threatened to quit if she was elected. “Well I was elected to the Board of Directors and was quickly moved into the position of the President. That did not go over well. But I guess I did a good enough job, because those men never quit and the Chamber began to thrive.

Jenkins now lives in a cozy cottage not too far from her daughter and son-in-law Joyce and Randy Hebron who carry on the tradition of advocating for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.