Death of Danielle Lewis Jones' son inspired her to 'live on purpose' | Women of the Year
When Danielle Lewis Jones walks into a room, she might look calm and collected, but she has an ambitious agenda.
"Every single day, I have a goal of living on purpose," Lewis Jones said. "I ask: What is my purpose today? Whose life can I touch? How can I bring light into the world and how can I leave the space that I'm entering into better than it was before I got there?"
It's no small goal, but Lewis Jones has involved herself in a slew of organizations to make it happen: She worked for a dozen years in public relations at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, where former colleague Cindy Duesing said she proved she was "full of fire and enthusiasm with a thousand-watt smile that lit up every room she walked into."
More recently, Lewis Jones co-authored a book about Cincinnati's Black Lives Matter mural. She's on the public relations committee for the First Tee of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, which aims to teach children about leadership and life skills through golf. She's on the board of directors for the Ladies of Leadership and has also volunteered as a Girl Scout leader.
Arguably her most personal project, however, was born of heartache: In 2015, Lewis Jones and her then-husband lost the 10-day-old baby they had nicknamed "Junior," who'd been born with multiple congenital abnormalities. Instead of drowning in her grief, Lewis Jones launched the Angel Baby Network with support from a friend who had also lost a baby.
More: The Enquirer honors its 2023 Women of the Year
The now-defunct organization (its Ohio registration expired last year) still has a web presence offering medical, social media and support resources for bereaved parents.
"When my son passed away ... connecting with other families that have been in similar situations is something that's been healing and helpful for me," said Lewis Jones, who has worked as head of communications for Kroger Health for more than a year.
"I'm the type of person that if I believe I have something to give − whether it's time or effort or energy or dollars or talents or resources − if I have something I can give back and there's a cause that's important enough to my heart to give back, then I do it."
She said the loss of her son, and the decision to donate his organs for research, also encouraged her to volunteer for several related agencies: the Star Shine Hospice Board, the Cradle Cincinnati Advisory Board and LifeCenter Organ Donor's family advisory council.
"I believe that Danielle is a jewel in our community," Dr. Karen Bankston said in a letter nominating Lewis Jones to be one of The Enquirer's 2023 Women of the Year.
"I have watched her journey through a life that included joys and sorrows. But through it all, she has always found time to stop and give to others."
Lewis Jones said she was "completely blown away" when she learned of the several letters of nomination submitted on her behalf for this year's Enquirer honor.
"These were people I met in 2005, former colleagues of mine who literally watched me go from being this fresh-out-of-college student into the professional that I am today ... and they're still watching to see the woman I'm developing into next."
About Danielle Lewis Jones
Birthplace: Kennedy Heights.
Current residence: Springfield Township.
Family: Mother, Diane Lewis; father, Daryl "D.L." Lewis; brother, Daryl "Spud" Lewis.
Education: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, degree in public relations (2005); University of Cincinnati, master of business administration with concentration in marketing (2011)
Occupation: Head of communications for Kroger Health.
Q&A with Danielle Lewis Jones
What inspires you to give back?
"I always bring it back to my son. When he passed away, it inspired me to live on purpose and try to make a difference."
What need in the community would you like to see addressed?
"It's hard to pinpoint just one. I'd like to see a lot more advocacy and resources to those who are marginalized and see more care, concern and empathy for those who need help, especially children who are in need. I think if we can start off with children, that can make a big difference. A lot of our societal issues tie back to a few underlying issues dealing with education or health care. If we can provide the right resources to people when they're young, they'll grow into successful adults."
Who most influenced or inspired you to care about others?
"My grandmothers, both of them (maternal grandmother Lessie Mae Caldwell, who died in 2019, and paternal grandmother Maude Louise Lewis, who's 95 years old). Both led their lives with giving back to others and not caring about a person's status as much as they cared about the actual person. I grew up watching them give back to the less fortunate, give back to their families, give back to their communities."
Meet the 2023 Enquirer Women of the Year
You can find stories about other 2023 honorees by clicking on their names:
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Death of Danielle Lewis Jones' son inspired her to 'live on purpose'
