In part one of our interview with Jane Plitt, we learn about her role in the Women’s Movement and how she became an activist. Jane is the queen of building community and working for the greater good. As the first Executive Director of NOW, Jane is someone whose story you should know!
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In Part I of our Jane Plitt episode, we discuss community and how Jane participated in it during the Women’s Rights Movement. Her story is important to know as we continue to navigate women’s issues both in the workplace and in the home. As the first Executive Director of NOW, Jane has been integral in the fight for equality!
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Jane Plitt ran an award-winning business consulting practice until she became enthralled with the Martha Matilda Harper story. In 1996, she was appointed a Visiting Scholar to the University of Rochester to pursue her research; the result was a book entitled Martha Matilda Harper and the American Dream: How One Woman Changed the Face of Modern Business. Syracuse University Press released that biography in May 2000. As a result of Plitt’s efforts, Harper was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame along with the American Business Hall of Fame. In 2017, Plitt released a young children’s book entitled, Martha’s Magical Hair published by Jade Publishing. In 2018, Plitt co-wrote a young adult version of the Harper story, Martha the Hairpreneur, with Sally Valentine. In 2019, a paperback version of the Harper biography was released. Further details at www.marthamatildaharper.org
Addressing world influencers, business leaders and their staffs, women’s groups along with community and youth organizations, Plitt ignites audiences with her practical, impassioned style. She has spoken internationally on topics including immigrant entrepreneurship, daring to succeed, forgotten women’s achievements, using business for social change, and the business lessons of Martha Matilda Harper. She also engages children at book readings and schools.
Selected in 1987 as Rochester’s Small Businessperson of the Year, Plitt also served as the area’s 1986 delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business. That same year, she was chosen by SAVVY magazine as one of 14 Outstanding Women in New York State. In 1993, she was designated the area’s Small Business Advocate by the US Small Business Administration.
Plitt’s writings have appeared in many publications including the Chicago Sun Times, Wall Street Journal, and one was the cover story of Franchising World. She has written columns for the Bradenton Herald and the Sarasota Herald, along with the History News Network, Sept. 2019) Rochester Beacon (June 2019).   In 1989, Plitt authored the chapter “It’s Harder for Women” in STARTUP.   For many years, she was a business columnist in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
A 1969 graduate of Cornell University’s School of Industrial & Labor Relations, Plitt was directly hired as Rochester Telephone’s staff assistant in labor relations and was the company’s first female management trainee.  Promoted to several managerial positions, Plitt left in 1973 to become the Executive Director of the National Organization for Women. Thereafter, she joined the consulting firm of Cresap, McCormick and Paget before returning to Rochester, New York. For many years, plitt worked as a labor arbitrator.  In 1979, she founded JP ASSOCIATES, a business consulting firm.  Mobilizing women, Plitt co-founded the Rochester Women’s Network, and founded the Rochester chapter of NAWBO. She also served as president of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Council as well as Chairwoman of the Board of Rochester Public Radio and Television station, WXXI.
In Florida, Plitt has served on Realize Bradenton’s board, headed its strategic plan for downtown, served as Vice President of the Manatee Chapter of the League of Women Voters as well as President of the Manatee County Library Foundation. Under Plitt’s leadership, the Library Foundation generated over $400,000 to serve the county library system and funded a two-year literacy outreach program.  She recruited Stephen King and John Grisham as keynote speakers! Plitt is recognized in Who’s Who in the United States and the World.   In 2018, she was recognized with her husband for the Spirit of Manatee Leadership award given by the Manatee Community Foundation and was recognized for being a Women of Achievement by the AAUW – Bradenton Chapter.  In 2017, she received the Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, along with many other accolades throughout her life.
