Get to Know: Jenny Davidson
In 2005, Auburn resident Jenny Davidson’s life was changed forever. Her son, Jordan, was born with trisomy 18, a rare genetic abnormality, and passed away after just 32 hours of life. While it was a terrible time for her family, Davidson now credits the experience with strengthening her resolve to make a positive impact on her community. “I needed to know I was making the world a better place for the children who get to stay,” she recalls.
Davidson is now the CEO and executive director of Stand Up Placer, a nonprofit that provides crucial intervention and support for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. She was also one of only eight women in the U.S. who made the BBC 100 Women 2018 list, which celebrates female leaders, trailblazers, and everyday heroes from around the world who influence and inspire others. She’s especially passionate about providing safe, comfortable, and confidential housing—not only to survivors of domestic abuse, but also their pets, and explains that many victims stay in abusive environments out of reluctance to leave their pets behind with an abuser. As a result of her efforts, Stand Up Placer is now pet-friendly, and she hopes other shelters will follow suit. For Davidson, the best part of it all is being able to honor Jordan by helping others get a new lease on life. “We get to choose how trauma will affect our lives,” she explains, adding, “My son still makes a difference every day I get up and go to work.”
Stand Up Placer’s annual fundraiser, Stand Up and Dance, will take place on March 23 at Orchard Creek Lodge from 6-10 p.m. For more information, visit standupplacer.ejoinmeorg.
By Amber Foster
Q&A
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t put off getting your education.
What comes to you naturally?
I’m a natural-born learner. I love pursuing personal growth and expanding my knowledge base.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Closed-mindedness.
Biggest life inspirations?
My sons. I want to be the superhero they think I am.
Best words of wisdom you’ve received?
Your trauma doesn’t define you. You define you. It will change you, but you get to decide what the change is; you get to choose to survive.
FAVORITES
Author/writer
Brené Brown
ESCAPE
Blacktop Comedy
Guilty pleasure
Watching The Bachelorette
Meal in town
Teriyaki Domo
MOVIE
The Princess Bride
Musician/band
Steve Miller Band
Place to buy a gift, locally:
Serendipity
Saying
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.