Jacobs Prepares for Life After Politics

State Sen. Gilda Jacobs of has worn many hats during her decades-long career as a pioneer and public servant.

Now, the term-limited Democrat representing the 14th District, which includes Huntington Woods, looks forward to a new role outside politics. Once Jacobs completes her state Senate term, she will become the president and CEO of the nonprofit Michigan League for Human Services, which assists low-income state residents with health and social welfare issues.

While term limits are the stated reason for Jacobs' departure from Lansing, she concedes an increasingly partisan political scene has made it more difficult to pass legislation, leaving her frustrated.

"Gilda Jacobs was an extremely hard-working, able and conscientious legislator who had to deal with the frustration of serving her entire eight years in the Senate in the minority," said Jack Lessenberry, a Wayne State University journalism professor and Michigan Radio's senior political analyst, who has lived in Huntington Woods for 14 years.  

It's a feeling Jacob has had, and overcome, before.

Career U-turn

Jacobs, 61, was born in Detroit and grew up in the 1950s with a strong-willed working mother and the dream of becoming a special education teacher.

Her father had a heart murmur, and her mother, fearing he'd die young, took a position in industrial sales.

"It was a man's world," Jacobs said. "But, she was friendly and outgoing; she had a winning personality."

From these roots, Jacobs went on to graduate from Detroit's Mumford High School and the University of Michigan. After college, she landed the job she'd always wanted, teaching special education in the Madison School District.

She relished the role, but eventually policy changes and staff turnover left her feeling burned out. When her first baby with husband John came along, she took some time off. That's when fate intervened.

Jacobs decided to volunteer for political figure Doug Ross. When he ran for Senate, she helped lead his campaign; when he won, she ran his district office and liaisoned with citizens. It was the first job share position in Michigan, breaking a barrier for women, she said.

When Ross lost his race for Congress, Jacobs was out of a job. With a newfound taste for politics, she decided to take the leap and launch her own political career. After all, Jacobs explained, a special education teacher's urge to help people is also what drives public servants.

A woman of firsts

What followed was a distinguished career in which Jacobs opened doors for women.

• She was the first woman elected to the Huntington Woods City Commission, serving from 1981-94, including as mayor pro tem in 1993-94. Jacobs recalled joking with the other members that they were an old boy's club. "Mayor (Ronald) Gillham was so cute," she recalled of her first City Commission meeting. "He made me an old boy's club membership card and left it at my seat." More than representing the city as a woman, Jacobs said, she wanted to represent young, progressive-minded families. "Gilda has always taken the job of representing people in this community extremely seriously," Gillham said.
• During her 14 years on the City Commission, she had another baby and continued working for JARC, a Jewish association that supports people with disabilities and their families. 
• She served as Oakland County commissioner from 1995-98.
• In 1998, she was elected to the Michigan House, where she served two terms and became the first woman floor leader in either house of the Michigan Legislature.
• She was elected to the state Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.
• All the while, she served in a number of leadership roles in the Legislature and with community organizations. She also has received numerous awards and honors.

"I was proud to be the first and am glad others can follow in my footsteps," Jacobs said.

"Women really do see things differently than men. I'm not saying it's better or worse. We just handle things differently," she said. "Our relationships are different and we can have a positive impact."

She urges young women just finding their way to seek out mentors with whom they can talk and bounce ideas off.

"We can and should do what our dreams are," Jacobs said.

Tools of the trade

So, what's the secret to her success?

To hear her former colleague, Huntington Woods City Manager Alex Allie, tell it, it's her seemingly boundless energy.

"I used to kid her about having a twin because she's everywhere," said Allie, whom Jacobs had a hand in hiring while on the City Commission. "She commutes to Lansing, and has always kept a suitcase in the trunk in case of a storm or an overnight session. And, she still has time to walk her dog!"

"I've always been a fairly high-energy person," Jacobs admitted, adding with a chuckle, "I do often fall asleep in movies."

Jacobs is trying to figure out how she'll stay busy during evenings and weekends, time she'll soon have for herself. She loves cooking and has been testing new recipes. She's taken up knitting and is attending her book club instead of just reading the books.

Even more than all that energy, Allie said Jacobs' local experience and ability to work across the aisle helped make her an effective leader at the Capitol.

"She's always been on the minority side of the aisle in Oakland County, the House and the Senate. … I think that made her very effective because she had to ... learn diplomacy," Allie said.

Jacobs' successor in the House, Andy Mesiner, who is now Oakland County treasurer, concurred. "In Lansing, she's been a consensus builder and has a real strength of working behind the scenes to bring people together."

The senator credits her success to a "tremendous staff," strong organizational skills and a simple political philosophy: "If you do your job, take your position seriously, show up and be responsive, people recognize that and are grateful."

Built-in fan club

Having a supportive family hasn't hurt either.

"My husband's pretty amazing," Jacobs said. "My time is very erratic and he's very supportive."

The couple has two daughters and time worked in their favor  – their kids had already flown the nest when Jacobs joined the state Legislature, allowing her to focus on her career. Even as the kids were growing up, they thought her involvement in city politics was cool, Jacobs said.

"They  used to  love it when the police showed up to drop off City Commission packets at our house," she said.

Both daughters have gone on to become activists – Jessica, 31, in the public health arena and Rachel, 35, as co-founder of the 635 Club, a nonprofit dedicated to Detroit's revival.

Even Jake, the family dog, has gotten in on the action. He's campaigned door to door and marched in parades. He has met U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, his brother U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, Lansing Mayor and 2010 governor candidate Virg Bernero, County Commissioner Elaine Zack and others.

"He's licked congressmen and school board members, but he hasn't bitten anyone yet," Jacobs said with a laugh.

Touching lives

Jacobs' next step will take her out of the public arena, but she looks back with pride on what she's accomplished.

"My legacy is that we really helped people with their problems, whether it was with a mortgage, getting their heat turned on, or interfacing with the schools," she said.

She cited as her biggest accomplishments legislation that:

• created the Detroit Zoo authority
• allowed kids to carry EpiPens to stop allergic reactions at camp (instead of having to go to the nurse)
• required defibrillators in health clubs and ambulances.

"None of that is earth-shattering," she said, but it makes a difference in individuals' lives. "I think I can look back and be proud of my career and service to the community. And, I'm transitioning into a terrific position to still be able to impact public policy with a different hat on."

When asked 'What makes you weird'?: "I talk to everybody. My daughter Jessica used to say, 'Mom, you're too friendly. You're going to get kidnapped.' "

The public is invited to a reception in Sen. Jacobs' honor at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 21 in the Woods Gallery at the Huntington Woods Public Library.