Jane Sanders
Who is Jane Sanders?
Jane Sanders is an American social worker, educator, and political advisor, best known as the wife of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. With a career spanning education reform and public service, Jane played key roles in college leadership and civic programs throughout Vermont.
Beyond her political ties, she is recognized for her work as the former president of Burlington College and her contributions to social policy through The Sanders Institute.
Early Life and Education
Jane Sanders was born Mary Jane O’Meara on January 3, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in a working-class Irish Catholic family, her parents were Benedict P. O’Meara and Bernadette Joan (Sheridan). She grew up alongside four siblings, including her brother Ben.
Jane attended Saint Saviour High School in Brooklyn, later enrolling at the University of Tennessee before leaving school and relocating to Vermont. She eventually earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Goddard College and a Doctorate in Leadership Studies in Politics and Education from Union Institute & University in 1996.
Career in Social Work and Education
Early Civic Engagement
Jane’s career began in social work, where she worked in the Juvenile Division of the Burlington Police Department and later became a community organizer with the King Street Area Youth Center. She also served with AmeriCorps VISTA, promoting volunteerism and community development.
Public Service and Advocacy
In the 1980s, Jane held various civic roles in Burlington, including:
- Director of the Mayor’s Youth Office
- School Board Commissioner
- Founding member of the Women’s Council and the Film Commission
She also served as an adviser and volunteer in her husband Bernie Sanders’s mayoral and congressional offices from 1981 onward.
Higher Education Leadership
In 1996, Jane was appointed Provost and Interim President of Goddard College, helping the school through a financial and administrative transition.
Later, she served as President of Burlington College from 2004 to 2011. During her tenure, she aimed to expand the campus and programming, although her real estate purchase for the college later became the subject of scrutiny.
In 2017, she co-founded The Sanders Institute, a progressive think tank focused on economic justice, civil rights, and environmental sustainability.
Personal Life
Jane Sanders married Bernie Sanders in 1988, after meeting him during his first mayoral campaign in 1981. Their partnership has been both personal and political, with Jane often advising on policy and public engagement.
She has three children — Heather, Carina, and David — from her previous marriage to David Driscoll, an IBM employee. Her daughter, Carina Driscoll, is also active in Vermont politics and once served in the state legislature.
Jane is also the stepmother of Levi Sanders, Bernie’s son from a previous relationship.
Public Scrutiny and Controversy
In 2016, Burlington College closed due to debt associated with a land acquisition made during Jane’s presidency. An investigation followed, examining alleged misrepresentation of donation pledges on a loan application. However, no criminal charges were filed, and the case was eventually closed.
Fun Facts About Jane Sanders
- She began her career as a community organizer in Burlington.
- She earned her doctorate while raising a family and working in politics.
- Jane is the founder of The Sanders Institute, focused on progressive policies.
- She played an advisory role in all of Bernie Sanders’ major campaigns.
- Despite public life, she remains committed to grassroots activism and education.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Jane Sanders known for?
She is known as the wife of Senator Bernie Sanders and as a college administrator and civic leader.
2. How did Jane Sanders meet Bernie Sanders?
They met in 1981 at a political event in Burlington, Vermont.
3. Was Jane Sanders the president of a college?
Yes, she served as president of Burlington College from 2004 to 2011.
4. How many children does Jane Sanders have?
She has three children from a previous marriage and one stepson, Levi Sanders.
5. What is The Sanders Institute?
It is a progressive think tank co-founded by Jane in 2017 to promote social and economic justice.
