Juggling the responsibilities of a family and a job has proven to be a rewarding experience for Jacqueline (Abendschoen) Milani, psychology '88. "My kids make me put my work aside," she says. "They add balance to my life."
A former UMBC lacrosse player, Milani is one of three individuals who coordinate the Baltimore County Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) program, administered through the Baltimore County Department of Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse. She is also the mother of three children, ages six, four and 18 months. "Our day starts very early," she says.
Milani graduated with a certificate in business and industrial relations as well as with a psychology degree. "I think the combination of the two programs of study works well with my job," she says. "I don't think I could do it with one and not the other."
As coordinator for SADD, Milani works with 10- to 17-year-old student volunteers, implementing programs, as well as with businesses and governmental agencies, soliciting funds and applying for grants. "We are basically a nonprofit organization, so our funding is strictly from grants and donations," she says. "But part of my job involves supervising people, so I have to know how to motivate and organize them."
As a student at UMBC, Milani was active in women's lacrosse and field hockey and continues that involvement today. She was president of the Baltimore Women's Lacrosse Alumni Association until the birth of her second child. She is currently garnering support for UMBC women's lacrosse. "Our vision is to get more people to come out to the games," she says. "Women's sports have never been well-attended. Who better to support the current team than the former players? The response has been good."
Milani says her involvement with women's sports alumni stems from a commitment to give something back to the university. "I probably wouldn't have graduated if it hadn't been for people like Gary Rupert (former assistant athletic director) and Kathy Zerrlaut (former head women's lacrosse coach)," she says. "Kathy took me aside one day and said that if I didn't get my grades up, I wouldn't be able to play. They helped me set priorities."
While being a full-time working mother often proves hectic for Milani, she loves her work because of the rewards it brings. "I wouldn't be working if I didn't love what I do, if I didn't think I was making a difference in the world," says Milani. "I'd like to think that I'm teaching today's youth to be leaders and role models."
Jean A. Flanagan is the editor for The Avenue newspaper, serving Eastern Baltimore County.
