2017 RECIPIENT—JANET TRUE

Janet True was chosen as the 2017-2018 recipient of the Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Community Service Award.

Known within and outside of JLS as a roll-up-your-sleeves philanthropist, Janet has dedicated over 30 years of non-profit service in the areas of health, special-needs children, and the arts. Her extraordinary dedication to our community and the Junior League has made her a role model for many League members. Janet is a woman who leads by example and has no reservations about jumping in and getting her hands dirty, whether it’s speaking on a panel, donating her time or resources, opening up her home for events, advocating for change, or fundraising like there’s no tomorrow. We appreciate all Janet has done for our members, the Junior League of Seattle and the Seattle community, and are so honored to present her with this award.

Janet began career working in Washington D.C. at The American Enterprise Institute in research and development. She has held positions on Capitol Hill, in the Senate and House, before transferring to Seattle where she worked in the Washington State Legislature. Janet served as campaign manager for the King County Assessor race during a time where the number of women in politics was very low and parlayed this experience to become a force in the non-profit world.

Recognized as a change-leader, Janet’s involvement in the community is endless. She is a founding member of the Washington Policy Center, ChangePac, and Wild Entrust International of Botswana, where she continues to hold trustee positions. She currently serves as board chair of the Swedish Board of Trustees, is a member of the Swedish Foundation Board of Governors, and co-chaired the $100 million Capital Campaign. Janet also chairs the capital campaign for Woodland Park Zoo, is a former trustee of The Bush School and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and has been the president of PONCHO. She’s been heavily involved with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Kindering Neurodevelopment Center, and chair of the Seattle Repertory Theater. Janet has chaired fundraisers for organizations such as The Moyer Foundation, Seniors Making Art, and the 10-99 Foundation.

A dedication to the community has earned Janet such honors as Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Woman of Influence,” the Elmer J. Nordstrom Distinguished Service Award, the Senator Maria Cantwell Women of Valor Award, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Most Philanthropic Family Award.

A member since early 1980’s, Janet has held numerous positions within JLS from administrative jobs to Nominating Director to being on the Board, but her greatest memories are those of being a puppeteer for the disabled children puppets that were taken around to schools as well as being a docent for NW Arts. Her daughter Effie Gleason is also a member.