jenny barrett - life membership

jenny barrett -
life membership citation

Jenny Barrett (nee Johnson) has been the "heart & soul" of the SSPA Victorian Branch for the past 23 years. Her energy, enthusiasm, commitment and above all, loyalty to the cause of the SSPA, as well as to short-statured people in general has been outstanding both at a state and national level.

Jenny migrated to Australia from India with her family in the early 1970's. In 1975, she joined the SSPA and it wasn't long before became an active participant in the Victorian Branch's administration. In 1976, Jenny was elected as Branch Chairperson, a position she was to occupy on five other occasions during the course of the 1970's & the 1980's. Also, during this period, she served terms as Branch Secretary as well as Branch Treasurer. At a time when average-sized parents still controlled the destiny of the Branch, Jenny assumed a leadership role and showed the way for the younger short-statured people.

Jenny's contribution to the Victorian Branch has not been restricted to just being an office-bearer. Over the past 20 years, she has organised many social and fundraising events for the Branch. She has also played a major role in the planning and organization of national Conventions hosted by Victoria. Perhaps, Jenny's greatest efforts have been in the area of publicity and promotion on behalf of the SSPA. Over the years, she has undertaken countless public speaking engagements talking to community groups and schools plus handling any media requests for interviews. All the while, she has generated a positive outlook about being short-statured.

While her involvement with the Victorian Branch has been magnificent, her record of service with the National Council should also be noted. Between 1977-1990, Jenny served on the National Council for a total of 10 years, including three consecutive years as National President, and represented the SSPA at the inaugural International Convention of Little People held in Washington, D.C. in 1982. Another highlight of her Presidency was her role as a public spokesperson in the 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons campaign which included appearances in TV commercials promoting the abilities of disabled people.

In 1997, Jenny announced that she was retiring from all "active" duties within the SSPA saying that 20 years was long enough to be heavily committed to one cause. She has been a wonderful ambassador for the SSPA, and on a personal level, has been a great source of strength and advice for younger members, and very often, she has welcomed them into her home for social occasions.

Given her record of achievement with the SSPA, I believe that now is an appropriate time to recognise her efforts by awarding her life membership of the SSPA.

Francis Kelly

(Jenny's nomination for Life Membership was read by Francis Kelly at the 1998 Aldinga Bay (S.A.) AGM and subsequently approved by the members present.)

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