Jenny Lee doesn't fit the description of the regular "guest speaker" type of Madison's social hierarchy. She is a regular woman trying to find her best place in one of the most wonderful American cities to live, work, and play -- Madison. This, despite arriving in Madison from Taiwan 20 years ago. Like many non-European immigrants facing many barriers, Jenny had to adapt and adjust, and adapt and adjust. Her training in the English language while in Taiwan, however, helped Jenny immensely in communicating and in landing her first albeit brief jobs as program assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later, as an accounting specialist in a state office.
      After an unsuccessful marriage that left her struggling to get back on her feet career-wise, Jenny had to re-join the work force with an added personal disability. She had to catch up in terms of new technological know-how. She worked in a small company to re-train herself and has begun her new travel toward self-sufficiency.
      Getting back on her feet, however, isn't the most gratifying moment in her life. Jenny sees being a mother as the ultimate payoff for 10 years of working exclusively at home.
      "Motherhood is the most exciting period in my life," Jenny said in all seriousness. "Everyday, while I watch my boy grow up, I see the changes; everything is different the next day, or the day after."
       Jenny found ways to be with her boy, even when he's already in school. "I would volunteer in the nursery, at the YMCA, and then in the classroom, so I could look after my child, too," Jenny recalled. "I would be a translator or interpreter for Chinese friends, as well."
      Is she raising her son based on Chinese traditions? "I am very proud of my culture," she beamed. "I teach him our language, our history, our food." At this point, Jenny's cell phone rang. It was a call from her son to pick him up from his basketball game, and Jenny answers in Chinese, in a tone that said, "I'll be there, don't go away!"
      "When he was younger, I taught him how to swim, roller skate, many things," Jenny continued. "Now at 16, he doesn't drive yet, so I drive him to church, to games, and other activities."
      As a single mom whose goal is to give her only child the best in life, Jenny stresses that quality care can only be provided by a mother. "A mother should always be there to make kids feel secure," she lectured. "We should do things with our kids together, provide them good, healthy food, and teach them hygiene and good manners." Jenny also maintains that there should be control in the amount of time kids should spend watching television. "They should hardly be in front of the T.V.," she said. "They must be exposed to meaningful activities instead."
      Aside from being a doting mother, Jenny is an excellent sales person. She has recently discovered herself as a very persuasive individual. Initially, she helped Asian Wisconzine sell advertising space in the latter part of 2004. Today, she is a full-time member of the sales team at Smart Motors-Toyota at Odana Road in Madison, and holds the singular title of the only Asian woman in a field of more than 10 well-trained men in car sales.
      Jenny's face brightens when asked how her work impacts on her life's goals. "I have been learning a lot from this job," Jenny said. "It is an honor to be part of the oldest car dealership in Wisconsin. Its reputation precedes itself. Its product is excellent; its service is excellent; and its price is the best!" She added that Toyota is a special dealer because it is involved in community and charity work. "What I like in Smart Toyota is it helps the United Way, the hurricane victims, the YMCA, and many other nonprofits that provide assistance to the needy and the disadvantaged in our community," she observed.
      The only personal and professional challenge that Jenny sees is to be at least at a par with other outstanding sales people in the car business. "There's not many women in this field," Jenny said. "We have to keep up with the advanced technology in order to provide the best service to our customers."
      With a combination of Jenny's cultural past, exposure to the more pragmatic Western practices, and her own natural people skills and tenacity, this woman will go very far.
      Note: Jenny Lee may be contacted for professional and personal reasons. She says she would prefer to stay single if the man of her dreams (an older mature man who likes children) doesn't come along. Please call 445-9390 cell, and ASK for Jenny Lee.
Jenny Lee on motherhood, work
                                         A small talk on BIG issues
                            by Heidi M. Pascual
    One advantage of being a reporter, a writer, or a journalist in American society is meeting people of various sizes, shapes, colors, nationalities, beliefs, values, and what have you. In this occupation, the connections may last the length of the interview or an event, a number of weeks or years depending on many factors, or they may last a lifetime.  In Madison, it's hard not to bump into the same person after the initial encounter,  whether or not you're in the media industry. The small geographical area isn't the only reason; it's the community gatherings that keep people connected, and the glue that keeps them together is the impression one leaves behind.  Jenny Lee has left an indelible impression on me.
Jenny Lee wants to be at least at a par with other outstanding sales people in the car business.
March 2006 Preview