Jane Sanders facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Sanders
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Sanders in 2019
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| 4th President of Burlington College | |
| In office March 2004 – September 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Mary Clancy |
| Succeeded by | Christine Plunkett |
| President of Goddard College | |
| In office 1996–1997 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Greene |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Mossberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mary Jane O'Meara
January 3, 1950 New York City, U.S. |
| Spouses | Dave Driscoll (divorced) |
| Children | 3, including Carina |
| Education | Goddard College (BA) Union Institute and University (MA, PhD) |
Mary Jane O'Meara Sanders, born on January 3, 1950, is an American social worker and college leader. She has also been an activist and political strategist. She served as the interim president of Goddard College from 1996 to 1997. Later, she was the president of Burlington College from 2004 to 2011. In 2017, she helped start The Sanders Institute, which is a group that studies and suggests ideas. She has been married to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders since 1988. She was also the first lady of Burlington, Vermont, when her husband was the mayor.
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Early Life and Education
Mary Jane O'Meara was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on January 3, 1950. She grew up with four brothers and sisters. Her family was of Irish descent, and she was raised Catholic. She went to Catholic schools, including Saint Saviour High School. Later, she attended the University of Tennessee.
College and Family Life
Mary Jane left college and moved back to Brooklyn. She married David Driscoll, and in 1975, they moved to Vermont. They later separated. She has three children from this marriage: Heather Titus, Carina Driscoll, and David Driscoll. These children were later adopted by Bernie Sanders.
She finished her college degree at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont. She earned a bachelor's degree in social work. She met Bernie Sanders in 1981, just before he won his first election as Mayor of Burlington. They married in 1988. In 1996, she earned a doctorate degree from Union Institute & University.
Career Highlights
Early in her career, Jane Sanders worked with young people. She was part of the Juvenile Division of the Burlington Police Department. She also helped organize communities at the King Street Area Youth Center. She volunteered with AmeriCorps VISTA, a program that helps communities.
Leadership Roles in Burlington
From 1981 to 1991, Sanders was the first director of the Mayor's Youth Office in Burlington. She also worked in K-12 education and was elected as a school board commissioner. She helped start the Women's Council and the Film Commission in Burlington. When her husband, Bernie Sanders, was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1991, she volunteered in his office until 1995.
College Administration
In 1996, Sanders became the provost and interim president of Goddard College. She helped the college improve its standing and finances. She worked with the college's board, teachers, staff, and students to make things better.
From 2004 to 2011, Sanders was the president of Burlington College. This was a small college for students who might not fit into traditional schools. The college later closed in 2016.
Consulting and The Sanders Institute
As a senior partner at Leadership Strategies, a consulting firm, she advised on political and educational projects. Jane Sanders was very important in starting The Sanders Institute. This group, which focuses on progressive ideas, began in June 2017. She is one of its original members. She does not get paid for her work there, but her travel costs are covered.
Adviser to Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders has said that his wife is one of his most important advisers. She has worked for him in many roles. These include being an administrative assistant, spokeswoman, and policy adviser. In 1996, a newspaper article said she helped him write more than 50 laws. She has also served as his Chief of Staff and Policy and Press Adviser in his Congressional office.
Burlington College Presidency
In 2004, Jane Sanders became the President of Burlington College. It was a private, non-profit college in Vermont. She worked to increase the college's fundraising. When she started, the college had about $25,000 in fundraising. By 2011, this had grown to $1.25 million.
In 2010, Sanders led the college in buying a new property. The college hoped that more students would join, growing from under 200 to about 750. This would bring in more money from tuition.
In 2011, the college's Board of Trustees accepted Sanders's resignation. She said that she and the board had different ideas for the college's future. She received the title of President Emeritus when she left.
