My DEI Story: Jen Brydges

My DEI Story

By Jen Brydges, Executive Director, Women in Government Relations (WGR)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been part of my life for as long as I can remember and has been an integral part of my journey as a leader. Two specific experiences that have had a huge impact on me were working to reduce disproportionate minority contact (DMC) in the juvenile justice system and my daughter, Kennedy, who has Down syndrome.

Early in my career, I was an elected County Board Supervisor and chaired a committee to reduce DMC in the juvenile justice system. I collaborated with stakeholders to set goals and measure outcomes to reduce the number of minority youth placed in secure detention. We also incorporated a Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument for every youth entering the system and created policies that led to probation violators being diverted to drug education, anger management, and other community programs. With these changes, the county saw a 27% drop in youth of color admitted to detention for probation issues.

My daughter Kennedy was born on August 13, 2015 and we fell in love immediately. However, a few hours after she was born, we were told that “there was something wrong with her.” The pediatrician on call thought she had Down syndrome and rattled off why before promptly leaving the room. My husband Joe and I were left in a whirlwind of confusion, shock, denial, and fright. I had no idea how much Kennedy would change our lives and that one little girl could teach me so much and lead me to advocate for people with Down syndrome and those with different abilities. She has shown me that we are all more alike than different and has reconfirmed that we can find ways to connect with one another instead of finding differences that separate us.

The WGR “My DEI Story” Blogs are featured monthly, highlighting the story of a DEI Committee Member or supporting ally. These blogs are designed to shine a light on the amazing diversity that exists within our community, and to recognize that EVERYONE has a DEI Story. Interested in having your story featured?  Please send an email to dei.wgr@gmail.com.