Page 43 - California Woman with daisy cover

Remembering Jackie

The California Federation and Valley Sunset District were sad to announce the
passing of Past State President Jackie Melvin in November 2023. Jackie joined BPW in
1984 and served in numerous offices and chairmanships at the local, district, state,
national and international levels.

Her 20-year career as an English and drama high school teacher was interrupt-
ed early on with a 2-year stint in the Philippines as a member of the U.S. Peace Corps,
directing plays and teaching English. In 1982 Jackie left the education field to attend
law school and began a new career as an attorney. In a solo practice, she specialized
in estate planning, trusts and probate matters.

Jackie led the California Federation and NFBPWC in two important focus issues,
lobbying for affirmative action and increasing awareness of sexual harassment.
As the #MeToo movement evolved, it captivated Jackie’s passion for “women’s issues,”
or as she stated, “more properly, human issues, within our society and abroad—the
righting of personal human wrongs by one person and that person’s enablers, the
Empowerment of Women in our society to eliminate glass ceilings and discrimination.”

Jackie wrote that while she loved teaching and directing plays and practicing
law, her adult lifelong passion began decades ago upon the reading of noted author
and feminist Betty Friedan and her classic The Feminine Mystique. She introduced a
high school English course which she taught for several years called Women in Litera-
ture and her USC Master’s thesis discussed the portrayal of women in American plays.

In addition to her BPW activities, Jackie served as President of the California
Educational Theater Association.

Known for her intellect and sharp wit, Jackie never hesitated to state her
opinions. She will be greatly missed by all her friends.