Jessica Podhola

An impassioned child of God, mother of 3 amazing kids, wife, activist and KCRoyals fan.

I have recently joined the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 3 as the Director of Governmental Affairs.

I am President Emitirus of the Board of Trustee's of Unity of Independence and former Executive Director of the Jackson County Democratic Committee.

I am called to the work that I do. I believe that it is my duty as a Child of the Divine to heed the call to Service. Service to others, our community, and our world around us is God in action.

I believe that I am changing the world, one vote at a time. I grew up all over the western United States, our family didn't vacation, we moved. I am grateful for a life that taught me to be flexible, mobile and to stay focused on the now, not the next.

My mother taught me that we have a sacred responsibility to ourselves, our community and to our God. She also taught me that truth is relative and my truths are not better than anyone else's truth. I spent my childhood knocking on doors and talking to citizens about the importance of their voice and their vote. I began working in politics and at the age of 8 I was a precinct captain for Teddy Kennedy in a contentious Democratic Primary.

I have worked in politics ever since every 2 years. I thought I had retired in 2003 when I gave birth to my son and we had my husbands daughter from his first marriage move in with us. I was a stay at home mother for 4 years before I found my perfect job.

I get to do something everyday, that I love , that allows me to make a difference and I get paid for it. How cool is that? When you love your work, it is not a burden or a sacrifice. It becomes a vocation, a calling and bigger than you. I am not what I do, but what I do informs you of who I am.

Honesty, compassion, enthusiasm and zeal are qualities I would associate with myself. I am impeccable with my word, I always do my best, I never take anything personally and a I don't make assumptions.