Meet Janice Butler | Founder & President

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janice Butler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janice, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
As the Founder & President of Woman of Character, Inc. our mission is to provide resources and tools to encourage empowerment and change in the lives of women around the world by helping young girls & women that have experienced abuse or unhealthy relationships heal from the pain of their past.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Right after high school graduation in 1980, I accepted a position with the National Council of Alcoholism. Soon after, a friend convinced me to apply for a position with the federal government and my federal career began as a GS-2 employee. The progression of my federal career included positions with the Marine Corps Finance Center, Social Security Administration, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In 2006, I became part of the General Services Administration (GSA) and I’m currently planning to retire from GSA soon.

I have gained so much knowledge from the opportunities and experiences I’ve had working in the government and more importantly, I’ve taken advantage of these opportunities to develop professionally and personally. I’ve taken what I’ve learned from my career and applied it to my personal life to help others.

I am a domestic violence survivor and breast cancer survivor. I have a nonprofit called ‘Woman of Character, Inc.’ to support others in similar situations, helping and encouraging them to see their potential; reach their goals and define their purpose.

Speaking to empower and motivate women is my passion. I have also authored a book entitled, ‘Torn Between Religion and Relationship’ and I am one of 14 co-authors in ‘Picking Up the Pieces’ – both written to help women recover and build healthy relationships.

As I’m preparing to retire soon, I will be able to dedicate more time to serving. Serving the women, young ladies and even men that have and are dealing with domestic violence. My goal is to Be the example, that one can heal from the pain of their past. Encouraging women to “Dream, Hope & Love again even after being broken” and letting them know ‘You Don’t Have to Wear the Scars!!”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m not a partier, but I love sight-seeing and eating out. I would definitely take them to: – KC Historic District on 18th & Vine better known as the Jazz District. Where we would visit the American Jazz Museum and the Negro League Baseball Museum. Then get some lunch at Gates BBQ.
– Maybe go walk around in the downtown Kansas City Power & Light & Crossroads Art District where we can eat and shop at nice boutiques and art galleries.
– We’d also go to the Plaza for some upscale shopping and dining or to just walk around. Have dinner at Ocean Prime or one of the many restaurants there.
– Visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to my mother Faye K. Jackson (who is deceased) and my twin brother, John Jackson. If it weren’t for them, I would have never had the courage to tell my story; write my book ‘Torn Between Religion and Relationship’; start a nonprofit and empower young ladies and women that are currently or have dealt with domestic violence.

Website: www.womanofcharacter.org (being redeveloped)

Instagram: @wmofcharacter

Facebook: Janice E. Jackson-Butler & Woman of Character, Inc.

Youtube: Janice E. Butler

Image Credits
John E. Jackson Charles Williams