Jean ‘Punkey’ Adams ↘

Born in 1943 in St. Paul,  Jean (better known as “Punkey”)  Adams earned a communications degree and later earned a master’s in social work from Walla Walla University.

She is inquisitive and quietly mischievous. A few years ago, while visiting Puerto Vallarta, she somehow made her way through a fence and onto a Mexican naval base in order to inspect a wildflower. She was escorted back through the hole in the fence by a soldier. When traveling with her, it is common for one of her kids to say, “Mom, you can’t go in there…” or “You’re not supposed to do that.” That has never stopped her.

Like many women born in the 1940s, she came of age at a time of fast, deep transition…from dutiful housewife to an independent community leader. She has logged thousands of hours of volunteer work.

A long-time donor and supporter of the YWCA she has connected several women with YWCA services. She has been an officer in Sherwood Trust, the Walla Walla Community College Board of Trustees, the National Association of Social Workers, P.E.O., and the Walla Walla Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.

She served as a CASA Advocate, the first female swimming referee in the Inland Empire Association, and a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and was on the First Congregational Church Social Concerns committee. She was a PTA member and officer for Sharpstein, Green Park, Edison, Bernie, and Pioneer Junior High. She has also envisioned and established five new libraries, expanded services to underserved, rural, and ESL communities, and established unique collaborations with other organizations.

She sees connections and possible solutions easily; it’s like watching a community social work version of chess. She is fascinated by the brain and the effects of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences). She works to put ACEs research into action at all levels of human development and community social work. People around her describe her as humble, insightful, kind, and fair-minded. Her motto is best captured by her favorite poem, “O for a World,” by Miriam Therese Winter, which begins, “O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways, where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.”

O for a world with more women like this one.

Join me in celebrating Jean “Punkey”  Adams, YWCA Leader of Distinction for 2025.