Jean Davidson

is honored with a Brick from Mike Davidson, John Davidson and Terri Poe

Jean M. (Wogan) Davidson
Jean Davidson WU BA 1949. Major in Sociology, Minor in Psychology and Religious Education.

Born 11/09/1927. Attended schools in Tulsa OK., Great Bend, KS., Bristow, OK., Graduated Wichita High School East. 1945. At Wichita University; member of Sociology Club, the University Choir, Orcasis (dance club), President of Delta Omega Sorority 1948-1949. (See 1949 Parnasus). Married John D Davidson, (WU BME ’50). 1948.
Jean went to work for the Sedgwick County Welfare Department in 1949 until 1951. She moved to Newton, KS with her husband in 1950. In 1951 she was hired by the Methodist Children’s Home in Newton, now known as United Methodist Youthville, to organize its first Social Service Department. In 1959 she went to work for the Harvey County Welfare Department, which later became Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services, where she worked until her retirement in 1992. At her retirement she was the Social Services Supervisor for the Harvey County Office of SRS, active in child protective services.
In addition to her busy schedule of social work, Jean has been a tireless worker in the field of religion at the national, state and local levels of the United Church of Christ.
In her local church she served as a church school teacher for more than 50 years, has served on many church boards as officers and chairperson. In addition to all of these positions, she has been a regular member of the church choir for over 50 years.
Jean was a delegate from Kansas to the General Synod for the United Church of Christ on several occasions. She has held positions on state committees, and was the first woman elected president of the Kansas Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ in 1976.
Her concern for the welfare of children has been expressed in many ways. Through her efforts, the Harvey County Day Care Center was organized, licensed, staffed and opened. She was instrumental in the formation of the Child Protective Team for Harvey County and became its chairperson. She was on the initial committee that formed CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Harvey and McPherson Counties.
Jean Davidson has earned the respect and devotion of all those persons who have worked with her on the many committees and commissions throughout Kansas. She is always willing to share her talents in her church and in her community.
Mr. And Mrs. Davidson have raised two children, a son Mike, WSU, BHS ’80, a daughter Terri, KSU, BFA ’80. 3 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
Since her retirement, Jean has been active on many boards, mostly volunteer services for the senior citizens; Meals on Wheels for Newton and North Newton, KS., The Newton Area Senior Center, CASA, ACTIVE AGEING (a senior newspaper for Sedgwick, Harvey, and Butler Counties).
This award is being presented to Jean Davidson for her 80th birthday, November 9, 2007 by her husband, John D Davidson , Newton, KS., son, Michael K. Davidson and Ann D. Davidson of Hutchinson, KS, and daughter, Terri (Davidson) Poe and Renzie Poe of Wamego, KS.