I discovered while interviewing Donna Phillip, that the
privilege was all mine. Donna has a warm and welcoming personality. Her
personal history sounded like a storybook come to life. Donna works at the
Jefferson City Public Library, in Jefferson County as the Assistant Director. This
position wasn’t just handed to her. Donna was passed over twice but on the
third attempt she landed the job. In thirteen years Donna has more than proven
her worth.
The drive to keep pushing started as a child.
She had six siblings and understood that college would not be an option for
her. Milking cows was the job of this country girl and that job placed her in
the dairy in 1987 where she met her husband. The two were married in January
1988. Three babies later, two daughters and one son, all under the age of four
Donna decided to go back to school.
She was going to be a computer programmer. Many
people told Donna she wasn’t going to accomplish her educational goal. She
graduated with honors, Phi Beta Cape, in two years from Walter State with a
computer science degree. Donna would
never bring coursework home. She would complete all her assignments on campus.
She wanted her family to always be first when she was at home. After
graduating, Donna discovered her son had special needs. That’s when this
devoted and loving mother searched for help at the local public library where
she found the resources.
A substitute
position opened at the library and that was when she got her foot in the door.
In 2001 after her husband lost his job, she once again applied for the
assistant Directors position. Donna was turned down for the second time;
nevertheless, Donna would not tell the Library Director that her family was
under financial stress. She wanted the position but wanted to earn the title on
her work merits. On October 1st 2001 she was placed in the Assistant
Director position.
Donna’s high ethical standards have made the
director proud of her decision. She still believes that “if a job needs to be
done you do it” and a large part of Donna’s highlights of the job is getting to
help her customers find help. In closing, Donna shared her faith with me during
this interview, the root of all her strengths and believes, “God puts you where
He needs us to be”.
