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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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2005-01-01 |
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| Name | Jane "Jan" Bidwell Gaunt |
| Address | PO Box 585
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
November 09, 1951
(72 years)
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| Contributor | User 13 |
| Last Modifed | WSNJ
Aug 12, 2023 10:56am |
| Tags |
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| Info | A lifetime Democrat, Jan Bidwell Gaunt has long championed the causes of fairness, compassion and commonsense. Born to Carl and Ruth Bidwell on Nov. 9th, 1951, Jan was raised in a small farming community. As first generation off the farm, Jan was raised with strong family values of hard work, community, and discipline. Jan understands working families because she comes from a working family. Jan started her education at St. Patrick�s Parochial Elementary School, graduated from Walled Lake High School and attended Michigan State University. She graduated Magna cum Laude with a B.A in Communication and Psychology. She then earned her Masters in Social Work from New York University.
As a Social Worker, Jan has worked with every age group, from newborn to elders. She has consistently worked in agencies, while carrying a full practice of private patients. In addition, she has given workshops, written, and has lectured on a variety of topics related to healthy families and treatment of children.
Jan married John Gaunt in 1990. In 1994 Jan realized her greatest joy when she gave birth to her only son, Jay. On Jay�s first birthday the family moved from their home in Franklin Lakes to the current home in Mahwah. Jan significantly cut back her work schedule so that she could fully enjoy every possible moment with her son.
Jan has known her portion of difficulty. In 1996, the entire family came down with mononucleosis. Within 3 months, John and Jay recovered, but Jan could not bounce back. She was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia. She has worked with specialists to regulate her diet and exercise and supplements and has enjoyed a strong recovery.
Unfortunately, her marriage did not survive the strain of the illness. Very sadly, Jan and John ended their marriage in 2002. Jay sees his father often and the family has worked hard to make the changes as nurturing as possible for Jay.
When Jan considered running for office, she first asked Jay if he wanted her to do it. They had worked on campaigns before. Jay was very excited about the prospect of his mother being the candidate. Jan is very happy that Jay is learning that our democratic system of government requires a great deal of dedicated effort. He is very proud to be her �assistant campaign manager�.
Because of her working class roots, Jan has always believed that the role of government is to help people, not special interests. Her diverse and humble history bears out her commitment to working families, children and regular folks. Jan brings years of advocacy in the name of women and children�s rights.
Jan has been recognized by New Jersey for her lifelong advocacy and dedication to protecting the rights of all children. In 2001, Jan was appointed by the Governor to The New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. She serves on the Prevention Sub-committee, which is devoted to reducing the suffering of children in New Jersey.
Jan continues to be an outspoken supporter of children rights. She is President of a non-profit organization that stands up for children. Jan has helped establish in our community a national program that promotes the needs of abused and neglected children so that they do not fall through the cracks of our foster care system. She has led the Board of Directors in establishing an independent, non-partisan organization from the ground up.
Jan has been in family issues up to her elbows all her life. In her private practice she has helped individuals and families to deal with life difficulties and go on to be happy members of the community. She has helped hundreds of people negotiate whatever obstacles they have found in their paths. Jan will continue her work in Trenton, bringing the same passion and clear vision to the New Jersey State Legislature.
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