REGISTER HERE

Come Join the South Metro Young Professionals for their monthly November Gathering at Vine & Sparrow in Sherwood! Area Young professionals between the ages of 20-39 get together on a monthly basis to network and collaborate among like-minded professionals. Every month we bring a short education topic. This month our topic is “Live Your Passion” We are very lucky to be Joined by Jean Edwards of Edwards Center who is going to be sharing about how her passion to help her childhood friend with down syndrome to find a community of acceptance flourished into a life long business.

This will be an event to remember!

Dr. Jean Edwards found her passion early in life when a neighbor boy with Down syndrome chose her to be his friend. Despite the prevailing attitudes towards people with disabilities in her youth, she fought to create a community of acceptance. Driven by her passion to create a better life for those experiencing disabilities, she took a big audacious idea and brought it to fruition: founding Edwards Center in 1972 at the age of 29.

In addition to founding Edwards Center, Jean is a Professor Emeriti at Portland State University where she taught for more than 30 years. She has authored more than 25 publications and has been recognized for her dedication to the field with honors such as The Burlington Northern Award, Sylvia Mann Capper Award, Medora Bass Award, Media Award from National Down Syndrome Congress, Woman of Accomplishment Portland and more.