Jennie Hendricks was raised in the Salt Lake area, the eldest of her siblings, and she embodied tenacity at a young age. By 14 she worked as a janitor, assuming the caretaker role for her siblings. As a consequence of her mother’s decisions, Jennie encountered familial upheaval, and at 16, Jennie found herself separated from her family.
Despite her challenges, Jennie remained focused on her education, graduating from high school with a presidential scholarship to attend Weber State University in Ogden. She later relocated to Cedar City and envisioned a life centered around marriage and motherhood.
After 11 years and two children, turbulent times prompted Jennie to make a pivotal decision for herself and her children. Armed with nothing but her innate fortitude, she embarked on a journey of self-reliance. Starting anew in Cedar City, she ventured into real estate, eventually establishing her own Century 21 brokerage.
Jennie believes she would want to debunk for her younger self some of the biggest myths or misconceptions about being a woman.
"Women need a marketable skill set; you can't just rely on your partner to provide," Jennie states, emphasizing the importance of independence and self-sufficiency.
She uncovers the misconception that women do not need skills, attributing her own success in real estate to her professional capabilities. Additionally, she challenges the notion that aging diminishes one's worth. She advocates embracing every stage of life with confidence and self-assurance.
Jennie additionally shares the top three lessons she would include in a crash course on womanhood for her younger self: "Trust actions over words, cultivate self-reliance while seeking support from a trusted community, and channel adversity into personal growth.”
If Jennie were to give a TED talk on womanhood, she would include the idea that a woman should take her endeavors seriously, but not take herself too seriously. She would advocate for unity and support among women and emphasize the importance of empathy and collaboration in fostering a culture of mutual empowerment.
What message would Jennie convey to her future self?
"Keep going. You're tough, and you've made it," she declares.
“Thanks for getting us here; you did it! ‘You're tenacious and it's gonna get hard, and you're gonna get through it.’”
Jennie then adds a poignant note: "P.S. We made it."
Asher Swan is currently the Southern Utah University official photographer and the staff photographer for St. George City Lifestyle. Contact him at asherswanphoto@gmail.com.
