At the Gatsby Gala, The Foundation honors local women who, through visionary thinking, leadership, and philanthropy, have made a difference in the lives of others. Like Jane Addams, the recipient of the Jane Addams Legacy Award is a shining example of moral courage, self-sacrifice and a love for humanity. We are honored to celebrate Jananne “JR” Schaffner, a woman who has been a compassionate partner for so many in our community and who continues to elevate and inspire women around her.
Who is Jananne “JR” Schaffner?
I grew up as a farm kid in Mount Carroll Illinois, one of five children in what I know now was a highly dysfunctional, lower middle-class family.
My high school years were not stellar academically. I was a low achiever who lacked discipline and disliked authority. One of the most defining moments of my life came when a math teacher told me I would never amount to anything. Thankfully I didn’t believe him.
I graduated high school at 17. At 18 I found myself pregnant and married, which in 1975 that was the only real option I had. By the age of 22, I was the mother of 3.
When my youngest was in preschool, I chose to go to college. Though I never finished with a degree, college changed my life and my future and my perception of myself. I didn’t know what I ultimately wanted to do with my life, but I knew what I didn’t want to be. I continued to take as many college classes as I could afford. At one point I was working full time, but continued to take classes whenever I could.
I learned about the aggregate business and, at age 35 in 1994 and with a partner, we started Inertia Machine. That business will be 31 years old this year.
Steve and I were married in 2000 and together we worked hard to continue to grow Inertia Machine. In 2015 we began to buy and refurbish homes and entered the rental business. It was in 2021 that we purchased The Freeport Club.
So now when people ask me “how I did it?” I simply say I survived. I survived bad decisions and bad timing. I learned how to make good decisions; good decisions help make good timing.
When people ask me “how I got so lucky?” I tell them hard work makes luck.
And lastly when people ask me for advice, this is what I share: Stay humble, give back and leave things better than you found them.