Wednesday's Woman: Dee-Dee Jackson

For a woman who’s been on Oprah, interviewed by Brian Williams and has been featured in national magazines like Redbook and Essence, you wouldn’t expect to find Dee-Dee Jackson serving hamburgers at a Shiloh High School basketball game.

But, if you’re looking for her on a game night, that’s where she’ll be; she hasn’t missed a game yet, and that’s saying a lot. Jackson’s schedule is full and has been as former long-time national president of Mocha Moms, she was a voice for African-American mothers across the nation, while being a mother herself to six children in her home.

Recently, though, she’s switched gears, founding I’m Every Woman! Inc., and things are just getting started. Her newest organization is just two months old, but she’s already having events and working hard on getting the word out about it.

“I was going to take a break after stepping down from Mocha Moms,” Jackson said. “But, once I had a minute, I started thinking about how much I loved doing nonprofit work and knew I had to do something else to fill the gap that Mocha Moms filled in my life.”

This 41-year-old also says that some of her ideas for her new nonprofit group are different than most other organizations dedicated to helping women, one of them being the starting age for the women she wants to help.

“Have you ever noticed how most organizations have ages that they’ll help starting at 25 years old?” Jackson asked. “I think it’s smarter to start at 18, when you actually need the help.”

And, help she definitely gives. She says she’s inspired to lead and serve in her community and do the nonprofit work she does for women and families by her relationship with God. She also credits her mother, Linda Corpening, as an inspirational force who taught her "determination to succeed despite any odds." She's hoping that through her work she is able to impact the future of not only her children, but other children, too. 

“Too often we see a need and wait for someone else to take the initiative when we could be the solution that is needed,” Jackson said.

In addition to her nonprofit work, Jackson is also PTSA president at Shiloh High School. She knows that any changes she hopes to make for others start right at home.

“I love that value that most residents of Snellville place on family and community involvement,” Jackson said. A resident since 1998, she adds that most of the men and women she’s served with on various committees and groups in the community are from all ethnic backgrounds and seem to share one basic goal: to make a difference in the community for children.

“We want to honor the unique qualities and talents that our members possess and work to develop them into valuable resources that will hopefully, benefit mankind,” she added.

Jackson said that as an organized group, I’m Every Woman! Inc. will be even more empowered to make a positive impact. Like other mothers and women, Jackson knows she's trying to accomplish a lot and juggling many roles. But, watching First Lady Michelle Obama take the mommy-in-chief role continues to inspire her.

"My role can not be defined as just a stay-at-home mom, wife, volunteer, philanthropist, or business woman because I am all of those and more," Jackson said. "I admire Mrs. Obama for taking a huge stand for me and other women like me who have been proudly walking in the shoes she now does for our families and communities."