Authentically Me
Every day, I tell and live authentic stories so that people feel connected, supported, and empowered.
How I got here
Once upon a time I knew a girl whose laugh could make you melt. Her smile started at her toes and beamed out through her eyes. Ask people what they remembered most about her, and they agreed, her smile.
I wanted to be that girl again.
I needed to be that girl again, but I couldn’t find her. Somewhere in the dark, I let go of her hand and lost her.
I tried working hard, thinking I’d find her there since she had been no stranger to hard work. Work didn’t help.
I caught a glimpse of her as she volunteered for this cause or that cause, but it was only a reflection of her old self — that person who was no more.
The children. She was always the attentive parent, so surely I could find her there, inside those children’s lives, but the only woman living there didn’t smile much; she was too tired.
It took a year to find her. This is what I learned.
It was never dark outside; I just had my eyes shut. Once I opened my eyes, I found myself, just where I left me.
I’m not certain of many things anymore, but I do know this; I like me better when I laugh, and I think you do, too.
And now that I’m back, I have some stories to tell. In this journey of late, I’ve learned that I am not alone in my grief or my joy. Everyone has a story, and I’m going to tell them. Written in June 2001.
What others say I do
Judy Mae uses powerful words and photography to tell stories. She is a skilled communication strategist and storyteller with demonstrated success in creating strong organizational brand identities that deepen impact among key audiences, build brand loyalty, strengthen employee talent, and expand public engagement.
Judy retired from Extension in January 2024 to deepen her personal storytelling journey. She served Illinois Extension in many roles, all with the goal of helping people find the information they needed to solve the problems which kept them from living better lives.
She has practical, proven experience in web content development, social media, print and digital storytelling, publication production, impact reporting, and brand strategy. Her engagement with 4-H members, volunteers, stakeholders, legislators, and donors for Illinois Extension resulted in increased participation, volunteer recruitment, alumni support, and donor contributions to the Illinois Extension program.
In addition to her work with Cooperative Extension, she published two cattle magazines; wrote for a local daily newspaper; and authored an inspirational blog, website, and newsletter.
She is a frequent conference presenter at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Conference and the National Extension Technology Community Conference and helps Extension staff across the nation tell compelling stories. Her instructional trainings include newswriting, storytelling, impact reporting, social media, photography, digital content development, direct mail marketing, organizational leadership, and crisis communication.