For more than 30 years, Janet Blanchard’s name has been well known among public servants in Michigan. She was spokesperson for the Michigan Neighborhood Builder’ alliance which provided grants to improve quality, safety and economic stability of local neighborhoods. Janet was the spokesperson for the Michigan Children’ Trust Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. She established and coordinated the Governor’ Adult Literacy Task Force. She served as Michigan’ First Lady in 1983-91.
Over the years, Janet has worked in the Michigan Departments of Education, Commerce, Civil Service, Labor, Management and Budget. She has been active on the national and international stage as well with service on the board of directors for the Centre for Studies of Children at Risk in Hamilton, Ontario and as Protocol Officer for the dedication committee for the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. This latter project was especially significant for her, as her father was a veteran of that war. In 2008, Janet actively engaged in the U.S. presidential campaign and served as an at-large delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
