Keenly interested in both land conservation and historical preservation, Jenny has served on the board of the Chester Land Trust for the past 20 years, and the Chester Historical Society for the last 13 years. She is Vice President of both.  In 2016, the Land Trust purchased 6.7 acres of open land from the Constance Baker Motley estate in Chester, and established the Constance Baker Motley Preserve. Motley, who had a 40-year seasonal home in Chester, was a courageous school desegregation lawyer in the Civil Rights Movement, and a pathbreaking jurist, the first Black woman to be appointed to the federal bench. Establishing a Preserve in her name offered an opportunity to conduct programs both on land conservation and American history, attracting new audiences, and expanding the role land trusts can play. Jenny’s dual position on both Boards also helped engage the collaboration of the Chester Historical Society.

The leadership in each organization helped develop the site sharing a common purpose. With Jenny’s guidance, they have conducted educational programs about the historic life and legacy of Motley, and produced materials and a portable exhibit that travels to off-site public venues. Brochures and story-boards were produced about Motley’s accomplishments and placed at the Preserve’s entrance, and at the start of the popular hiking trail the Land Trust built—the Little Rock Nine—named for one of Motley’s most famous school cases. In 2018, the CT Freedom Trail designated the Preserve and the former Motley home a state “Heritage Site,” increasing state-wide recognition. Along with Marta Daniels of the Chester Historical Society, Jenny co-represents the Constance Baker Motley Heritage Site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail.

Before retiring 13 years ago, Jenny’s professional career was in health care management, starting as a renal social worker for 10 years at Yale New-Haven Hospital. She then became the Executive Director for 35 years of the New England Renal Network, a national contract under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services responsible for administrative duties for quality improvement of patient care, patient grievances and data registry management in the six states in New England.  She served on several national committees and received awards for patient safety and end of life management in dialysis facilities and transplant programs.