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The Beginning of The Jean Collective
Like many women, I started life not knowing that I could achieve anything, much less knowing that there was a glass ceiling, but it didn’t take long to learn that as a young woman and indeed throughout my life, women face barriers. Our fight for equality and a place at the table is sadly still…
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Meet Helen Cole – Founder, The Jean Collective
Helen Cole has spent more than four decades helping people, organizations, and communities reach their potential. Throughout her career in municipal government, the non-profit sector, fundraising, economic development, and community leadership, one belief has remained constant: when people are encouraged, supported, and equipped to lead, communities flourish. Helen brings a unique perspective to leadership, having served…
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What advice would you give another woman who is trying to find her path?
To remember that everything is temporary. That includes the good things as well so it’s really important to live for yourself and put yourself first. Be your number one cheerleader and be involved with everything by doing it all. But in the process if it doesn’t work out and something goes wrong, that is temporary…
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Why I Started The Jean Collective: A Story About Belief, Courage, and Community
I’ve always believed in the power of women — not just to lead, but to transform. To change conversations. To stand at the front of the room when they’ve spent years being told they belong in the back. To speak truth to power, even when their voices shake. As a matter of fact, I created…
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Building a Healthy Democracy: Engaging Communities Together
At The Jean Collective, we believe that a healthy democracy starts at the local level — in our towns, around our kitchen tables, and in the conversations, we have with each other. It’s about more than elections. It’s about feeling connected, informed, and heard. That’s why I’m so proud to introduce Healthy Democracy, The People’s…
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Small But Mighty: How We’re Building Something Meaningful Together
When you’re starting something new, there’s always that little voice that wonders: Will this matter? Will anyone show up? But then someone does. And they bring their whole heart with them. That’s exactly what happened at our first Young Women of Excellence meet-up. It wasn’t a packed room—but the energy, honesty, and purpose that filled…
