Jerry Ann Fenter

Jerry was born and raised in the Northwest mostly in Portland. She started college at U of O but married and had a child after completing her first year in Eugene. She went back to school after two children and lots of help from scholarships, grants and work study from Portland State University. She participated in many demonstrations against the war in Vietnam and was involved with closing down classes and protests in the Park Blocks after the shootings at Kent State. She graduated with a BA in Psychology and an MST in teaching while working and helping to raise her family.

After college Jerry worked as a high school teacher. She did her student teaching at Madison High School in Portland. Very soon her career led her to working with difficult students in unusual situations. She taught at Villa St. Rose, Portland Public Schools and spent years working as an alternative school teacher for Multnomah County ESD. She spent seven years teaching delinquent children at Donald E. Long Home in Portland. She was director of the alternative school on the Jesuit High School campus for two years.

Later she started taking art classes and found she had a talent and a passion for art. After taking classes at PCC, Portland Art Museum School, PSU and PNCA her specialties became clay and watercolor. She was asked to create two posters for the Portland Rose Festival, one that won an international contest called the Pinnacle Awards. She worked in clay and watercolor for many years, still teaches when she can, donates to causes for delinquent youth and has shown at galleries all over the United States.

The best thing she ever did was to not give up when things got crazy and hard. She kept working at what she loved while raising two exceptional children.

Jerry's daughter has honored her on the Walk of the Heroines. Jerry comments: "I don't know why I'm any more extraordinary than anyone else. My daughter put my name on this Walk of Heroines. I value people, art, the Catholic Church, dogs and cats especially huskies, the outdoors, the environment, humor, my children, husband and grandchildren. I'm still in touch with friends from grade school and high school and treasure their friendships very much. I loved my grandmother and my uncle more than I can express. I like visiting Nebraska and Melaque, Mexico. I hate bigotry, war and mean girls everywhere. My favorite writer is Paul Bowles. I could also watch movies all day long without taking a break until I fall over. I've watched the complete Godfather Series many many times. I will continue reading, watching movies and plays, traveling, painting, writing and enjoying my family and animals forever unless my passions lead me in a different direction. Then I might also follow that path!"

Locate on Walk:

• Naming Wall (Right Wall), 3-4