Rosie Award JANE LEVENSON

By Andrea Busche

Our namesake award, the Rosie Award, is given to a woman who simply gets stuff done.

This year’s winner, Duluth resident Jane Levenson, epitomizes what this award represents. At age 69, Levenson currently has eight children residing in her home, ranging in age from 8 months to 17 years old.

While Levenson’s biological children are grown and out of the house (she also has nine grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren), these eight are children she has either adopted, is fostering, or children whom Levenson has legal custody of.

Levenson was nominated for this award by a friend, Betsy Snow. In her nomination, Snow shared the following:

“Jane has offered foster care to countless youngsters, from babies to young adults, many of whom came from extremely difficult backgrounds. Jane has been a tireless advocate and caregiver. She deserves the respect and gratitude of our community.”

A lifetime of working with youth

Levenson grew up in Roseville, Minnesota, and moved to Duluth at age 18. She has worked with children all her life, including as a Head Start teacher, working with kids at Polinsky Rehab, and teaching swimming lessons at the YMCA.

When her children’s father passed away (Levenson has three sons), she started an in-home daycare in the early 1980s, so she could be home with her kids. She eventually became involved with Mentor Duluth, which introduced her to the idea of fostering and/or adoption. From that point forward, she has made fostering and adoption her life’s work.

“I love it,” she noted of helping children. “Personally, I was so delightfully well-parented and gifted with a loving, attentive family. And when my boys’ dad died, so many people stepped in to help me. This is my way of giving back.”

When asked how many children she has brought into her home over the years, Levenson replied, “I have absolutely no idea.”

But she knows it’s a lot.

For Levenson, the hard work and effort involved are absolutely worth it.

“Sitting down to dinner with my family, and knowing everyone is safe and happy — yet, not perfect — that just feeds my heart.”

Routines required

Levenson relies heavily on her organizational skills to raise eight kids, including strict bedtimes and routines for all that laundry. The children also pitch in to care for the family’s pets, which include two cats, a desert tortoise, a fish and a bird. Levenson uses an eight-passenger Toyota Sienna to transport her family around, which means that trips must be meticulously planned in advance.

Levenson’s kids come from a variety of backgrounds, races and ethnicities. Levenson herself is Jewish.

“Wherever we go, we bring diversity,” she noted with a laugh.

Advice

When asked for advice regarding getting involved in fostering or adopting children, Levenson shared, “I would highly recommend it. But you have to be the right person. I’d say you should be organized, flexible and non-judgmental. When you walk up to a parent or family who needs some help, you have to put your own parenting judgment in your back pocket. Nobody wants to be a bad parent, but sometimes life is messy.

“I couldn’t do any of this alone,” she added. “I have an amazing support system of friends and family to help me.”

Levenson insists that she gets plenty of sleep, and she even finds time for hobbies on occasion. She enjoys reading, beadwork, walking, knitting and sewing.

Receiving the award

Levenson was caught off guard by receiving the Rosie Award.

“I was very surprised,” she said. “I do this work because I think it’s something everyone should do. And I do it quietly without expecting anything in return.

“The awards ceremony was one of the most fun nights I’ve had in a long time. It made me feel very special.” D