Jan McDowell

I am passionate about the need to make America the country we say we are. The land of the free and the home of the brave, with liberty and justice for all.

Sadly, we are learning more every day about the many ways in which we have not really been that shining beacon on the hill. Everything was always built upon the idea of making this the best possible place for white, male land owners. Through the years, people of color, women, and poor people have made incredible contributions to what we’ve accomplished. But they’ve had to fight (and they’re still fighting) to get the recognition they deserve for those contributions.

Our response must be to learn from our past mistakes. To recognize that we all do better when we ALL do better. To celebrate the rich tapestry created by the diversity we are blessed with. As Maya Angelou said, “When you know better, you do better.” As we learn uncomfortable truths about our history, let’s resolve to do better, not to bury the facts.

Two core beliefs form the basis of my approach. First, the recognition of the inherent worth and dignity of every person. And second, an understanding that what affects one affects us all.

As a CPA, I worked as the controller for a large group of orthopedic surgeons. In that position, I calculated the monthly paychecks for the doctors. I also handled the requests from employees for loans from their 401K accounts, which meant that I heard a lot of sad stories of need. So I've seen the broad range from the have's to the have-not's.

That financial background also means that I have the understanding to study and analyze the financial issues that are so important to the responsible conduct of our government.

As a person committed to doing my part, I volunteer with the Spay Neuter Network, Justice For Our Neighbors, the American Association of University Women, and my Unitarian Universalist church.

I have been living in this area since I was 8 years old. I grew up going to the Richardson public schools, and my two daughters went all the way through Carrollton public schools. When they were young, I was the PTA treasurer, and I spent years as the Girl Scout leader for each of them. All in all, I’ve been involved in the area long-term, with an interest in making it better for all of us.

Now that I have three young grandchildren, I’m more determined than ever to work to make this world a better place, for them and for all of us.