S8 EP9 Jan France Thank You for Giving So Much of Yourself
210JAN FRANCE: who was born in Chicago, to a mother who was an RN, a father who served in World War II, and a grandfather who served in World War I, has devoted much of her life to helping others. In 1976, Jan rode the 1400 mile Bi-Centennial, Valley Forge, PA on horseback, then in 1983, she organized the Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train, which covered 3,228 miles within the state, driving a classic 1915 Chicago freight wagon. She was its Founder, executive director, strategic planner, coordinator, promoter and fund-raiser of three million dollars in sponsorships. The Wagon Train made it into "Ripley's Believe or Not" as the Longest and Largest Wagon Train in American History!!!
She opened a thrift shop and in 2002, she founded and created the Nation-wide, Non-Profit Organization America’s Disaster Relief, to provide assistance to various disaster-affected areas across the United States. She opened a food truck and soon upgraded to a Mobile Kitchen. Despite being diagnosed with kidney disease, Jan continued to volunteer and fundraise for several years, but in 2023 due to her health issues, she decided to sell the Mobile Kitchen and cancel all events and remotely volunteer and fundraise. Her tireless efforts over the years have been an inspiration to many.
Jan attended in her early days, New York Institute of Interior Design – New York, New York, Barbizon School of Modeling after which she became a Showroom & Runway model with the Ford Agency before heading off to Saint Petersburg College / University of South Florida. She was an equestrian, riding instructor, endurance and cross country rider and drove a team. She did ranch work: branding cattle, showmanship horses, also did team penning.
She holds certifications as: Certified Radio Marketing Consultant – RAB – Dallas, Texas, Marketing and Promotions Event Professional as well as Licensed Real Estate Agent – Texas
In the television/radio/film industry, she was: Radio Director of Promotions/Marketing, designed sales packages & promotions; copywriter and handled press releases. She was a live, remote air personality, air voice, co-host of talk shows. She was a Motivational speaker at seminars, Teacher of marketing classes, Co-writer and co-director of commercials (Ford, 7-Eleven, Coca-Cola); Technical advisor for the movie Lone Star– selected sites, arranged/approved props and costumes, advised on angle and method with film crew/director.
Jan was also consultant to: State of Alaska, 50-year celebration of Alaskan Highway, State of Oklahoma, commemoration of the Oklahoma Land Rush; State of South Dakota, state-wide centennial celebration; State of Wyoming-state centennial; Residential General Contractor & Home Design – building 5000 homes in Florida & Texas.
Jan has a STAR on the Western Heritage Walk of Fame, Ft Worth, Texas (below the STAR of Roy Rodgers & Dale Evans) and holds numerous awards and citations from Oklahoma, Wyoming, South Dakota, Missouri, Florida, and Alaska. She holds honors from: State of Florida – State Representative Nations Bi-Centennial – Valley Forge, PA; Prestigious Texas Woman, Texas House of Representative; Outstanding Texas Woman, Texas Senate; Pioneer Woman Award, Marshall, Texas; Reserve Grand Champion Team Driving National Horse & Mule Association Finals 1987; National Cowgirl Hall of Fame - Heritage Division;Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train Museum – Ft Worth Stockyards Exchange Building; and was featured in Five Books, two by Donna Neal-Stepp in 1987, one of which is Sulphur Spring to Cowtown; and in October 2011 by Arcadia Publishing Images of America Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train By J’Nell Pate.
Follow her at: https://www.facebook.com/jan.france.10
Creator/Host - Ozzie Stewart - onthecallpodcast.com
Guest - Jan France
Exec.Producer - Ozzie Stewart @otc_podcast20
Editor - Kevin "Cheeze" Tinsley @cheeseslicefilms
Music - JLC Media
Camera - Kevin "Cheeze" Tinsley
Website - James Bailey
Art - JD Baez @jd.vinci https://www.artbybaez.com