Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins facts for kids

Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins is an important leader who has worked to help people get involved in their communities. She served as the national president of the League of Women Voters of the United States. This group helps people understand government and encourages them to vote.

Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins was the vice president of the League from 1996 to 1998. Then, she was elected president in 1998. She led the organization from 1998 to 2002. She is the only woman of color to be president in the League's first 100 years.

Early Life and Education

Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She grew up during the American Civil Rights Movement. This movement inspired her to become active in how government works.

She went to Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio. She earned a bachelor's degree in education and political science in 1974. Later, she earned a master's degree from John Carroll University. She also got a specialist degree from Kent State University. In 1991, she earned her doctorate from Cleveland State University. Her research looked at how school policies affected racial separation in Cleveland schools.

Career and Leadership

Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins worked in Cleveland public schools from 1979 to 1993. She then became a principal at Taylor Academy until 1995. After that, she worked for Junior Achievement. This group teaches young people about business.

Leading the League of Women Voters

Jefferson-Jenkins joined the League of Women Voters in 1982. She led a big effort in 1996 called "Get Out the Vote." This campaign helped more than 50,000 people across the country register to vote.

In 1998, she was elected the 15th President of the League of Women Voters. She was re-elected for a second term. She served as president from 1998 to 2002. She was the first African American woman to lead the League.

During her time as president, the League helped pass a law in 2002. This law was called the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. It made new rules about how money is used in political campaigns. She also worked to get more people to vote. She used public awareness ads to encourage voting. She wanted more people to get involved in our government. She also helped the League grow its membership.

In 2001, she led a special meeting in Denver. The meeting was televised. Kofi Annan, who was the head of the United Nations, spoke at this event. He helped people in the United States understand the United Nations' role in fighting terrorism.

After her time at the League, she worked for other organizations. She worked at the National Center for Education and the Economy. She also worked at the University of Colorado at Denver. She retired from Douglas County Schools in Colorado. Today, she works with the Center for Racial Justice in Education. Since 2018, she has also been a part-time teacher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Awards and Honors

Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins has received many awards for her work.

• In 2001, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Civic Engagement from Cleveland State University.
• In 2010, the Girl Scouts of Colorado named her one of eleven "Women of Distinction."
• In 2020, she received the Freedom Summer 1964 Award from Miami University.
• In 2021, she was the main speaker at Miami University's graduation. She also received an honorary doctorate degree there.
• She received the "Civic Leadership Award" from the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.