All About Jill

Biography

Jill was born on Abraham Lincoln's birthday, February 12.   She grew up in Highland Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and is the oldest of 3 kids.   Her mom volunteers at The Art Institute of Chicago as a docent; her dad is a retired businessman.   When she was young, Jill was very close to her grandparents and her dog, a bassethound named Gus.  

Jill was a good student in high school and liked English and French best.   She also liked playing sports and going out with her friends.   When she was 12, Jill got her first guitar as a birthday present.   Playing the guitar, knitting, and arts & crafts projects helped her cope with the stress of middle school and high school.

Jill went to college at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado.   She loved Colorado and still visits every year.   Jill went to graduate school at The University of Illinois, where she earned an M.S.W. (Master's of Social Work).   She also did post-graduate work at The Family Institute of Chicago/Center For Family Studies.

Jill recently appeared on ABC TV, Channel 7 to talk about her book, "Dealing With The Stuff That Makes Life Tough''.   She has also been featured as a body image expert on National Public Radio's "Talk of The Nation" and on an MTV Finland television documentary.   Jill has lectured nationally on girls' and women's issues, and has taught classes at The University of Chicago, Loyola University of Chicago, National Lewis University, Northwestern University, and The Atlanta Girls' School.   Jill's published articles on women and body image have been reprinted in numerous college and high school textbooks, plus numerous magazines and periodicals.   She has also been quoted in Fitness Magazine, Teen People, and YM.

Jill lives in Colorado, and maintains a private practice of psychotherapy in Avon, CO. She is married and has 2 sons and a white cat named Faith.

Jill's favorites

Movie: The Wizard of Oz Animal: Dogs
Food: Bittersweet Chocolate Color: Green

Sports: Hiking, biking, x-country skiing

Childhood Memory: Winning first place in the horse show at Camp Conestoga when I was 12

Ways To Relax: Yoga, knitting, reading, listening to music,
playing the piano, taking a bath

People Who've Influenced Me: Joni Mitchell, Woody Guthrie, Katharine Graham, Leonard Bernstein, Mother Theresa, Oprah Winfrey

Most embarrassing moment in school

My most embarrassing moment in middle school was in 7th grade. My homeroom teacher held up my yearbook picture in front of the whole class.   He said something like, "This person will need a retake!" because my eyes were closed.   Everyone was Howling, they were laughing so hard!   I thought I'd never survive the humiliation.

Well, I did survive, thanks to my friends.   We all decided that the teacher was an idiot --he lost a lot of students' respect when he embarrassed me.        

I learned two things from this awful experience:  

1) Adults can make really stupid mistakes.

2) The importance of being a good friend, especially in times of trouble.

What I've learned so far

•  With hard work and a dream, you can accomplish anything!

•  Taking time for yourself is just as important as hard work.

•  The more you give, the more you get back.

•  It's a drain on your energy to hate someone, and the only person you hurt is yourself.

 

My Special Statement

•  Love heals.

 

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