Who is Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins?

story: Claire Lordan design: Lucy Greaney

Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins will deliver the commencement address at Miami University’s spring graduation ceremony, according to an announcement by President Greg Crawford. With the decision to split graduation into eight different ceremonies ranging across different colleges, Jefferson-Jenkins will deliver her address at all of the ceremonies.

In addition to the eight ceremonies recognizing the class of 2021, held between Friday, May 14 and Sunday, May 16, the University will also recognize the class of 2020 at an in-person ceremony on Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. Jefferson-Jenkins will also deliver the commencement address for the class of 2020.

Jefferson-Jenkins, who graduated from the Western College for Women in 1974, began her career as a public school teacher and administrator. Additionally, she earned a master’s degree in education from John Carroll University, an educational specialist degree from Kent State University and a doctorate degree from Cleveland State University.

“Western College prepared us for life, not just a career,” Jefferson-Jenkins said. “While teaching was my vocation, my calling was always communitybased activism. I grew up and came of age during the Civil Rights movement. There was never a time I was not active or calling for change, not calling for progress.”

In 1998, Jefferson-Jenkins became the 15th president of the League of Women’s Voters and served two terms. Currently, she is the only Black woman or woman of color to serve as president. In addition to her two terms as president, she also served as chair of the League of Women’s Voters Education Fund.

“I pursue my passions, and I am not hindered by the obstacles of gender, race or socioeconomics,” Jefferson-Jenkins said. “Whenever I was told that I couldn’t or shouldn’t, I did. I made sure that I had the education and experience to prepare me for any opportunity that presented itself.”

Under her presidency, which spanned from 1998 to 2002, Jefferson-Jenkins assisted in passing the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA). The act assisted in regulating the financing of political campaigns, and worked to close some of the more pressing financial loopholes within campaign finance regulation at the time. The act was sponsored by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and John McCain (R-AZ).

Jefferson-Jenkins also led the League of Women’s Voters to focus more on local elections, particularly elections with female candidates, while also increasing voter participation across all elections through the “Get Out the Vote” campaign. The campaign worked to register first-time voters, while also encouraging absentee or mail-in voting.

“I have been inspired by women both directly and indirectly throughout my career,” Jefferson-Jenkins said. “I’ve been inspired by women who made a difference, persevered and made contributions to the greater good while balancing life’s obligations.”

Later, Jefferson-Jenkins sponsored the “Wired for Democracy” project, the first online tool to provide voters with objective, nonpartisan election information.

While serving as chair of the Education Fund, Jefferson-Jenkins promoted efforts to build strong democracies in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Israel, the Netherlands and various African countries. She worked to provide accurate election information to voters, as well as to register women and minority voters who had not been encouraged to vote in the past.

“Through her illustrious career, Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins has dedicated herself to affirming and uploading our country’s democracy,” President Crawford said, in an announcement to the Miami community. “Time and time again she has used her voice and her platform to protect and expand voting rights, encouraging all to participate in the electoral process. Through her example, our graduates will be inspired to use their Miami education to serve, lead, and build a better future for all.”

Jefferson-Jenkins received the Freedom Summer of ‘64 award from Miami in February 2020, becoming the third honoree to receive the award. The award, which was created in 2017 and serves to “award honored leaders who strive to advance civil rights and social justice in America,” was awarded to Jefferson-Jenkins on account of her dedication to expanding voting rights.

“[Jefferson-Jenkin’s] push for grassroots organization and attention to local elections underscores the goals of Freedom Summer and affirms its values and principles.” Crawford said, when granting Jefferson-Jenkins the award.

Though Freedom Summer, a 1964 voter registration drive aimed to increase Black voter registration in Mississippi, was not sponsored by Miami, the Western College for Women housed volunteers for the drive from June 14 to June 27. Three of the volunteers were later murdered in Mississippi while registering Black voters.

Currently, Jefferson-Jenkins works as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Education. She remains active on numerous boards, and advises local community-based organizations. Jefferson-Jenkins hopes that her commencement address will inspire Miami graduates to take advantage of the opportunities of our time.

“For my generation, it’s time to pass on the mantle and be supportive,” Jefferson-Jenkins said. “What I hope to convey to the new Miami alumni is that they were made for a moment like this. Every generation has a transformational time, and this is it for them. And while we don’t know what the future holds, we know that this class will make the world better, and that their Miami education has prepared them for that.” DEI I MQ Magazine