Jen has been an advocate for equity for her entire life, but her journey as a professional advocate began when she was pregnant with her second daughter Charlie. Due to severe complications during this pregnancy, Jen was advised to terminate her pregnancy by a doctor at a major Boston hospital, and only chose to carry Charlie to term after receiving a second opinion and additional care that catered specifically to her and her daughter’s needs. This experience reinforced for Jen how meaningful it is when someone takes the time and energy to provide individualized care, and Jen draws upon this belief in both her teaching and acting careers.

Advocacy is at the heart of all of Jen’s work. As the mother of a child with a physical disability, Jen has been a ceaseless advocate for accessibility in all forms. Jen’s advocacy work includes speaking appearances at the 150th anniversary celebration of Boston Children’s Hospital and Mix 104.1 Cares for Kids Live Telethon (see video) as well as direct work with young people through the Drama Program at Cambridge Friends School (CFS) and through her class and coaching practices at Boston Casting. Jen continues this work in the acting industry by intentionally selecting roles with equity-based missions, such as her upcoming roles as the mother of a daughter with a disability in “American Foulbrood,” and as Mary Merrick Brooks, one of the founding members of the Concord Female Anti-Slavery Society, in “Ellen Garrison: Scenes from an Activist’s Life.”