For many years during their marriage that began in 1991, Laurene Powell Jobs stood by her often controversial husband, Steve Jobs, as he pioneered Apple Inc. to becoming one of the most powerful companies in the world. After his death in 2011, there was much speculation as to what Mrs. Jobs would do with her time and wealth. The wait is over and it’s clear that she intends to become a force in both politics and through philanthropy.
The Early Years
According to Wikipedia, Mrs. Jobs was born (November 6, 1963) and raised in New Jersey. She is a well-educated woman in her own right having received a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a subsequent Masters from Stanford Graduate School of Business. After graduation she worked at Merrill Lynch Asset Management and Goldman Sachs in the trading industry.
Philanthropy
One of Mrs. Jobs primary philanthropic focuses during her marriage was to eduction. In 1997, she co-founded the charitable organization named “College Track”. College Track’s charter called for the strengthening of academics for high school seniors and college students throughout the central and northern California areas. Much of the effort was put on helping minorities receive ample opportunities for advanced education. After a successful start, the program was extended into Southern California and parts of Louisiana and Colorado. Eventually, she started another organization called “Emerson Collective”. This organization took on a more political stance on many of the same issues as College Track, but put more emphasis on developing social justice and equality in education for immigrants and alien immigrants. It also offered entrepreneurial support for minorities.
Political Endeavors
When President Barack Obama penned the “Dream Act” in 2012, Mrs. Jobs became one of the new law’s top advocates. As part of that focus, she funded and supported the making of a documentary entitled “The Dream Is Now.” With her escalating interest is politics, she began strengthening her affiliation with certain members within the democratic party, supporting those candidates who stand on a social reform platform. She has more recently been a very vocal force in helping President Obama advocate for his new directives regarding immigration reform. In the past, she expressed her support for the Affordable Care Act, another social equality policy implemented by the Obama administration. Currently, she has made a move to the forefront of a “Super Pac” that has been formed in support of a Presidential run by Hilary Clinton in 2016. All of this has peaked the interest of many in the political arena who are wondering what her aspirations in politics might be.
It’s is clear that Laurene Powell Jobs is not going to sit quietly as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. She has shown that she intends to use the force behind her $11.0+ billion estate as a means for actively supporting causes that she believes in. After years of living in the shadows, she has stepped out and intends to make her own mark on society.