Jihan Woods Young ’01: On her family’s commitment to service and legacy at Greenhills

As the youngest of five kids who attended Greenhills, class of 2001 alum Jihan Young’s teachers knew her since babyhood. Though one piece of the Woods family experience at the school was hers exclusively—she was the first among her siblings to begin in the sixth grade.

“Being at Greenhills was an integral part of who we were as a family,” she shared. “I have so many wonderful memories of Greenhills as a little kid: Tagging along to my sisters’ musical rehearsals and practically sitting in Mr. Postante’s lap. Seeing my brothers in what was then the senior forum. And lots of track meets.”

Once Young became a Gryphon herself, she remembers the excitement of classes such as integrated English and history with Ms. DePree and Mr. Zellers and applied mathematics with Ms. Hall, all of which prepared her for college, honed her goals, and shaped her worldview.

After completing her degree in political science at the University of Michigan, Young established a career in finance at JPMorgan Chase and PNC Bank before settling down in southwestern Michigan, with her husband Larry.

And then she had a fateful and fortuitous conversation with the mayor of Portage, Michigan, who urged her to get involved in local politics. With young children at home, it wasn’t the perfect time, but eventually Young took her up on it, starting off on the human services board. Over the course of two years, Young’s work grew exponentially as she implemented numerous school, grant-making, and mentoring programs.

“I drew on my mother’s legacy of serving on various boards and commissions over many years, including the Ann Arbor City Council, whose meetings I often attended with her,” said Young. “It’s in my blood to do more and give back to our communities.”

Today Young is the first woman of color ever elected to the City Council of Portage (population just over 50,000).

“It’s amazing to think of that glass ceiling being broken, and I’m proud that so many young children can see what that looks like,” said Young. “My inspiration was my mother, and now my son wants to run for student council. We’re passing the torch to the next generation.”

When folks find out Young grew up in Ann Arbor and ask which of the big public high schools she attended: “I’m always so proud to say I’m Greenhills through and through—that’s my alma mater, that’s my family’s tradition. I’m a Gryphon forever.”