jen casey
ground·ed ~ well balanced and sensible
This week I give you JEN CASEY.
Have you ever made a list of the top people you consider role models? I have. Jen has been one since I was 25 when we competitively played spades on a New Hampshire ski mountain. She intimidated me with her self-assurance, quiet confidence and steady style. And maybe a slight attitude thrown my way?
Twenty years later, she still tops my list. She's an accomplished immigration attorney, mom, wife, Colorado outdoor braveheart + truly one of the best humans I know.
I keep a word count cap on these emails-- a tall order for this entry. Jen resides in Denver with her hubs Jay (another favorite) and kids. For years my family has made some version of an annual trip to visit. And my only complaint is that Jen doesn't keep paper towels because ENVIRONMENT of course, which drives me insane because I love SELECT-A-SIZE Bounty and believe wholeheartedly in paper towels. That one small difference aside, I have always had mad respect for Jen.
This week, we spent time talking about the state of immigration. Per norm, Jen was serious, grounded and able to synthesize a complicated issue in a way I could digest. She also spoke honestly about unsettled feels (as a parent and person) currently, and as we cusp re-entry post pandemic. Our talk challenged my brain and made me think. Because how she talks all things- is with sincerity, dry humor and strength. And if you're paying attention, you get she's likely the most astute and bright mind in the room. She's not a person of many words--so as you can imagine I practice extreme self-control on being QUIET and sponging her when we connect.
Ah, but the best part of Jen? She lives life in a way I'm in awe of. Back in 2015, Jen + Jay had a poster of San Sebastian, Spain on their wall. When I asked about it, Jay casually threw out that they were going to take a sabbatical there someday. OK Jay, sure you are ;-) Cut to 2017, the professor Jay and the attorney Jen took that year to Spain with their kids-- all while maintaining careers. This life adventure represented much of Jen's ease in life approach — make it happen, stay grounded and take it as it comes. And yet through it all, Jen somehow stays deeply committed to the people + purpose(s) she serves professionally and personally. Usually you get one or the other, but can't say I know many who strike the balance in both.
Being sensible and well balanced---is innate for some. Definitely for Jen. And while it may not come naturally to us all, it's a good goal to reach for. With all the re-entries on the horizon, the optimism in the air.... I for one am READY to let life rip again but staying grounded will matter too. You know, to keep trying to be like Jen-just a little...xop
the picks
give
the center for gender + refugee studies ($25) Jen is a fearless leader in the immigration world. In 2014 she travelled to a detention center in New Mexico, providing her services and educating herself. The trip rocked her to put it mildly. She knows first hand the groups that have best resources for help and wherever you fall on immigration, humanity matters most. This org gets her top bid for the huge network of attorneys that help the humans that need their rights protected.
watch
Mrs. America (FX Series on Hulu) ohhhh this nine-part series is a must watch on so many levels. Set in the 70’s and focused around women’s equal rights movement with a bonkers all star cast (cate blanchett, rose byrne) As Jen put it, it gives awesome perspective to how progressive women were then-- how despite political differences the time period was less divided then we are today. Plus, it’s like mad men for women’s rights. SO GOOD.
read
TOMBOY (book/$15) Did I mention Jen is also a powerhouse mind on all things women/girls thinking. She loves this book for how it tackles the current and historical spectrum in gender identities, which today seems unlimited + an extremely relevant topic for many. As the book states, “we are in the middle of cultural revolution”….and the author looks at whether the term TOMBOY fits into our world today.
listen
The highwomen (album on spotify/43 mins) I now realize Jen is in her own personal women’s celebration revolution era. This “female country supergroup” album is led by the amazingly talented Brandi Carlile. Cool story was that they created the group in homage to the legendary Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, etc) country supergroup in the 80s. Now, I’m not a country music lover, BUT the first track is pretty great.
try
Uphill skiing (sport) I pushed back on this reco because this isn’t your casual TRY (equipment + mountains needed). But Jen pushed back harder which is why I love her. She and her family have been doing this every Saturday. she said it’s incredibly hard, fulfilling and thinks we should all think about trying it---maybe next year?
