Giving back to the community is the rent we pay for being on the planet. It is the noblest form of philanthropy for, through it, the donor expresses love for humanity using personal gifts of time, talent and treasure.

The Honorable Jennifer Weiss, 35th District Representative, North Carolina House of Representatives is driven by her firmly rooted belief in giving back to her community for the benefit of this state’s families. Her concern for the well being of others is equal parts philosophy and philanthropy. Weiss recently sat down for an in depth interview with the North Carolina Journal for Women and shared her thoughts on her work in the state legislature.

“My issues have always been about improving education, preserving the environment and protecting and strengthening North Carolina’s families. It was a long-term goal to serve in elected office. I’d always wanted to be involved in making my community a better place.

I grew up in New Jersey and was attracted to North Carolina for college, so I came to UNC, Chapel Hill and I got very involved with the Carolina Union Activities Board. That’s the organization that does student programming on campus. I was appointed chair of the human relations committee my junior year, and president of the student union my senior year. That gave me a lot of opportunities for leadership and interaction with students from different backgrounds across campus. I graduated in 1981 and moved to the Washington, DC area to find the perfect political job. After two years of being asked how fast I could type, I decided to go to law school. I graduated in 1986. I met my husband in law school, and we got married in 1987.”

After earning her law degree at the University of Virginia School of Law, Weiss moved to Boston. “I practiced corporate and securities law in a one hundred person firm. Although the job was exciting and lucrative, it did not satisfy my desire to give back to the community.

Our first child was born in 1990 and I decided to take an extended maternity leave. After five months, I realized that I wanted to stay home with our son for the foreseeable future and I resigned. It was around that time that we decided we wanted to find a better place to raise a family that was more affordable, and had a higher quality of life. In 1991 we moved to Cary.

Shortly thereafter, I started volunteering at The Women’s Center in Raleigh as a peer counselor. In 1992 I was hired as their Legal Services Coordinator and I found it very satisfying to counsel, and give legal advice to women dealing with separation, divorce and employment problems.

In 1993 our daughter was born and we decided it would be better for me to stay at home with our children for personal and financial reasons. My salary would not have covered the cost of childcare for two children. I was at home with an infant and a three year old. I spent my days going to parks and playgrounds, taking strolls, juggling snack times and nap times, keeping the house clean and keeping the family fed. I mean that’s what I did! And I also baked frequently because it is one of my favorite activities.

As much as I loved being home with my children, I still wanted to spread my wings professionally and often wondered when I would have that opportunity. In 1994, I volunteered on a legislative campaign. Although the candidate lost, I enjoyed helping out and made some new friends in the Democratic Party. I was asked to become Precinct Chair of my local precinct. In 1996 I was appointed Vice Chair for Cary with the Wake County Democratic Party and I held that position until 1999. I also volunteered in my children’s schools and served as a SAFE child volunteer.

photo courtesy of The Creative Image

In 1999, I was appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives by former Governor Jim Hunt. I serve on several committees and Chair the House Committee on Aging. I’m Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Children, Youth and Families, the House Judiciary III Committee and the House Select Committee on Domestic Violence. Most recently I have served as a Co-Chair of the House Interim Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, Foster Care and Adoption.”

When asked to identify some of the most pressing issues affecting North Carolina’s children and youth, Weiss cited smoking and obesity and also identified health and safety as challenges facing families, particularly senior citizens.

“Children are starting to smoke as early as middle school and we’re facing a childhood obesity explosion. We need to address these critical health problems to prevent illness and premature death and slow the rising cost of health care. We must also enable our older citizens to remain in their homes as long as they are able to and ensure that if they do need institutional care, they are safe and receive high quality care.”

Giving back to the community is the rent we pay for being on the planet. It is the noblest form of philanthropy for, through it, the donor expresses love for humanity using personal gifts of time, talent and treasure. Giving back to the community is something Jennifer Weiss understands.

“I’m very interested in issues affecting North Carolina’s families from birth to senior citizens. It is an honor to serve in the North Carolina House of Representatives and to represent the people in the Triangle area. Most importantly, I value the opportunity to have a seat at the table and to influence public policy and the quality of life in North Carolina.”