In The Loop- November 27, 2024
The past week brings both sadness and comfort as we remember the life, leadership and legacy of former Governor M. Jodi Rell.
Decades ago I recall receiving a call from a friend at the Capitol, suggesting I take a ride to a small town in southern Connecticut called, Brookfield. Curious, I asked what was going on. The
answer I received, “There’s an interesting candidate considering to run for the 107th district. We need to check her out.”
The candidate was future Governor M. Jodi Rell. At the time, she was a mom, a community leader, and a campaign volunteer for her family friend, the retiring State Representative David Smith.
We sat in her renovated historic kitchen, drinking ice tea and chatting about her kiddos, her Virginia roots, and life in a small town. She asked dozens of questions about Hartford, the legislature, and most importantly to her, whether the legislature would be a personal sacrifice. “Does it really matter?” She asked. “Can’t I make a bigger difference locally in Brookfield? What’s it really like to run a campaign and most of all, how does a mom juggle young kids, a long commute to Hartford and the long nights and weekends at the Capitol?”
At first she seemed curious about the toll public service might take on her family. But with the support of her husband Lou, Jodi embraced the legislative pace like a duck to water. A consensus builder, a people person and someone who cared deeply about her state and the people in the 107th district, she quickly established herself as one of the truly gifted leaders, a lover of facts and willing to do the work with anyone – regardless of party – to solve a problem or create opportunities for families and individuals to be their best.
Corny huh? Well that was Jodi then and continued to be for the next two decades. Her approach to people first, politics last, made her a beloved State Representative, legislative colleague, Lieutenant Governor and respected Governor. She still was mom and community leader but now a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
While there are plenty of stories I could tell – but I won’t, she became a dear friend over those 30 years who spoke the truth, was direct and fair and expected others to do the same. You could not help but both like and respect her. She wasn’t flashy, her leadership was grounded, thoughtful and above all compassionate. True to herself, true to her district and always true to her family and dozens of friends. She was the real deal.
It might seem cliche but as Princess Diana was the People’s Princess, Governor Rell, known in some circles as “ Snow White”, was the People’s Governor.
Her legacy continues through the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford which promotes civility, respect and common sense leadership – values she championed through her entire career.
The state is a better place because of her, and she will be missed more than you can imagine. On to your next adventure, united with your beloved Lou – we bid you farewell. Rest in peace, my dear friend.