By Melissa Marlowe, JTNews Columnist
Jennifer Mendelson is preparing for an evening at the opera. As house manager of the Seattle Opera Company, it is one of the various ways she spends her evenings.
Jennifer maintains a collected demeanor as requests screech over her walkie-talkie in the last frantic moments before the theater opens. She sits at a small table as ushers rush in and out of her office. Jennifer greets each of them with a smile, and when they bring tasks in need of her attention, she performs them with ease – often singing along. There is a picture of Sandra Bullock hanging above her on the wall. The picture is labeled “Jennifer.”
“Someone put it there as a joke,” she says, shrugging the picture off. But there is a resemblance. As an actress, a social service provider, a mom of two daughters under 10, and an avid volunteer, Jennifer conveys both dynamism and consolation.
Raised as the only child of a chemical engineer and teacher, Jennifer has always had a passion for performance. She first cut her theatrical teeth in high school in Allentown, Penn. She then studied at Ithaca College, and received her B.A. in acting in 1994.
After college, Jennifer moved to Seattle where her background in performance met social consciousness at the Seattle’s Children’s Theater. There she tackled tough subjects like child abuse prevention. She also began working with the Renaissance Man Shakespeare Company, presenting
Shakespeare to public school children in a fun and relevant way.
It was at that time that Jennifer began her now decade-long relationship with the Seattle Opera, which has been a constant in a career that has taken many turns – but has always centered on helping others.
Jennifer recently ended a professional stint as Study Buddy Coordinator at the Jewish Federation, helping to match volunteers with elementary-age students in need of tutoring help.
As a volunteer, she has dedicated three years to hospice care, providing comfort to individuals who are terminally ill. During her time at hospice, Jennifer has assisted in writing letters of reconciliation, held hands, listened to cowboy music, and shared in stories.
“By volunteering with hospice,” she says, “I’ve been trained to get in touch with my own feelings of mortality. I have also learned that as a support provider you cannot go into a situation with your own agenda. Rather it is important to support the individual you are working with through their journey.”
Jennifer’s supportive role will soon reach a new audience as she is currently pursuing her certification as a doula at the Seattle Midwifery School.
“I often joke that I’ve been on departures and now I’m going to try arrivals,” she says.
The word “doula” comes from the Greek word for the most important female slave or servant in an ancient Greek household, the woman who probably helped the lady of the house through her childbearing.
“The doula subscribes to the philosophy of mothering the mother,” says Jennifer. “A doula can model care and support for the mother, who in turn can transfer that
love to the baby.”
Recent studies published in such journals as the Journal of the American Medical Association have demonstrated the benefits of utilizing a doula’s services before and/or after childbirth.
Decreased use of pain medication, more positive assessments of maternal and newborn health, and fewer instances of postpartum depression are a few of the significant benefits identified. In light of these benefits, and the fact that more insurance companies are choosing to reimburse for their services, many young women are opting to include a doula in their birth plan.
A doula also acts as an advocate on behalf of the family. According to Carrie Gilbert, who used the services of a doula when she had her child. “I thought having a doula would help me feel less like a patient, and more like a person going through a natural process of life.”
Jennifer agrees. She became interested in the field after attending a friend’s first childbirth. “I liked the idea of being able to provide continuous support.”
As a doula, Jennifer hopes that she will be able to leave a legacy of support and care to last the family and child a lifetime.
Do you know a Trendsetter? JT Trendsetters focuses on members of the local Jewish community under 35 that are making a difference in people’s lives. Let us know who you think would be a great candidate by calling us at 206-441-4553 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].