School board member fights for Alameda children

Alameda Times Star, Mark Raymond Chandler, August 10, 2005

Alameda's unique character is fostered by several generations of dedicated citizens who are very much a part of our business and community organizations. We are fortunate to have men and women who have pursued their careers and later came back to establish themselves as leaders in our community. School board member Tracy Jensen traces her heritage back several generations, carrying on traditions that add distinction to the city's character. She is a 21st century achiever who walks in the footsteps of some of the many successful women in our community.

Her concern for children and health care issues puts her in the arena with people who take on the system and face the peerless challenges put before them. A caring woman, the love and kindness she shows her own family is reflected in the way she approaches people in our community.

"My heritage goes back to Norway, Sweden," she explained. "My grandfather was a merchant marine in his younger days and later dropped anchor in Alameda and opened Jensen's bar on Lincoln Avenue that he ran for 60 years. (It was later renamed McGrath's.)"

Jensen attended local schools, studied at junior college and went on to the university. "My class at Alameda was the first group to graduate from the new Alameda High School in 1978," she said. Although not active in school sports, Jensen put her talents to work as a stat girl for the football team and was on the school leadership council.

"Oddly enough, state Sen. Don Perata was my government teacher at Alameda," she said.

Jensen attended Yuba Junior College in Marysville and graduated from Cal State East Bay, majoring in political science. "I went to grad school at Emery University in Atlanta after Cal State," she said. "I got an MBA and a master's in public health. During my undergraduate work, I worked at the 'Pill-Hill' hospitals doing lab work to support myself."

Jensen went to Annapolis, where she worked for the Maryland legislature on the health care committee. "That was really fascinating. I did that for a year and a half and then I went to work for the federal government in Health and Human Services doing Medicare programs for about eight years.

"When I finally left Washington, D.C., I was detailed to vice president Al Gore's office for about a year. That was really captivating," she said proudly. "That's when I really got involved in children's issues."

Jensen added, "As far as my future, I'll be running again for the school board next year and I'd like to stay on the board for at least four more years or longer while my son, Julian, is in elementary school. Nutrition and teaching are my priorities.

"I've been with the city of Oakland for five years as the first person hired as the city's Senior Services administrator in 2000," she said. Nate Miley established the position, and "I've been working with the county on wellness and nutrition as well as physical exercise activities. I'm hoping we can have a specific policy to keep our children healthy and have a good diet.

"I would like to would to get my doctorate, but I'm not sure what my dissertation would be on. I have so many interests," she said. "I love kids so teaching high school would be an option."

Jensen said she was fortunate to live in such an active city. "My husband David is a jazz musician who plays bass. As a family, we are nature lovers riding our bikes and walking a lot. We also swim and hit the ski trails."

Jensen is a dedicated A's fan and she and her husband ride their bikes to the games.

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Last modified: August 10, 2005

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