Jessica Jaymes Purdy

Jessica's identity as a panromantic, asexual, trans woman is central to her life and work. She is, as they say, Out and Proud. But rather than ‘coming out’, she brings people into her confidence, her truth, and her life. It’s a combination of her personal experiences and mindset of ‘bringing people in' that has made her an effective leader, facilitator, and change agent.

Accomplishments and Achievements

Author

As an author Jessica’s works explore themes of identity, love, resilience, mental health, and societal change, offering readers an intimate look into her lived experiences and broader social issues.

As J. Scott Purdy

Her collection Dive Bars & Empty Glasses delves into addiction, loss, and despair. Through raw and unfiltered poetry, Jessica presents a candid exploration of life's struggles, ultimately revealing a narrative of resilience and hope. This collection resonates with those who have faced their own battles, encouraging them to find light in the darkness.

As Jessica Jaymes

Captured Moments takes a different approach by celebrating the magic and beauty found in everyday life. With a focus on the simple yet profound moments that make life meaningful, this collection serves as a reminder to embrace the present and appreciate the wonder in the ordinary.

In Tantrums & Tempests Jessica turns her attention to pressing social and political issues. This thought-provoking collection urges readers to look beyond their own experiences and consider the broader societal implications of injustice. Through powerful verse, she calls for introspection, empathy, and meaningful change.

As Jessica Jaymes Purdy

Her work Glass Hearts & Broken Pedestals offers an intimate glimpse into her personal experience with love and romance as a panromantic, asexual trans woman. This collection explores themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery, presenting poetry that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

And in her latest collection, Shooting Stars and Origami Swans, provides a raw and powerful look at gender identity, self-discovery, and transformation. Through evocative poetry, Jessica shares her experiences with dysphoria, acceptance, and rebirth, creating a testament to resilience and the beauty of self-actualization.

Library Systems Work

Jessica Jaymes Purdy has worked closely with library systems to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) through educational workshops and training programs. Her work has supported library professionals in developing inclusive policies, fostering equitable workplace environments, and addressing systemic barriers within library institutions.

Between 2021 and October 2023, Jessica conducted a series of workshops at the Pennsylvania Library Association's Annual Conferences, as well as the Directors’ Institute and Leadership Academy by PALS (PaLA Academy of Leadership Studies). These workshops included:

Achieving Equity in Policy implementation
Addressing Systems of Inequity and Oppression
Recruiting Diverse Talent
Retaining Diverse Talent

From 2020 to 2023, Jessica provided DEIAB training for the Chester County Library System, developing and delivering the "Diversity & Bias: Exploring Their Coexistence" workshop. This virtual training was provided to the entire library system staff and became a cornerstone of the system’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive culture of belonging. To build on the foundational training that was begun in 2020, she delivered additional training to leaders within the library system related to understanding and mitigating microaggressions, achieving equity in policy implementation, and bias mitigation.

Activism

Jessica Jaymes Purdy is deeply committed to activism, advocating for a range of issues that impact marginalized communities and society at large. Her activism spans multiple causes, each rooted in a commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity.

She is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, working tirelessly to promote equal protections and social acceptance for individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Her advocacy extends to marriage equality, ensuring that all couples, regardless of gender, have the right to marry and build a life together. A fight that she thought had been won but has recently risen once again.

Jessica is also a staunch defender of trans rights, fighting for legal recognition, healthcare access, and societal inclusion for transgender individuals. In addition to LGBTQ+ advocacy, she has been an outspoken opponent of war and militarization, challenging aggressive expansionism and the targeting of civilians. She opposes the designation of enemy combatants as a means to strip individuals of legal representation and due process, advocating for ethical legal standards.

Her activism includes standing against human rights abuses, including the use of offshore detention centers like Guantanamo Bay. She firmly opposes the use of torture in any form and continues to advocate for humane treatment and accountability in global human rights policies.

Jessica also champions environmental protections, advocating for policies that combat climate change and safeguard the planet for future generations. Additionally, she works to advance indigenous rights, supporting the protection of indigenous lands and the self-determination of indigenous communities. Affordable housing is another important cause for Jessica, as she believes in the fundamental right to safe and accessible housing for all.

Activism-Aligned Non-Profit Work

Jessica has played a key role in numerous non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing social justice. She is the founder and first board president of Lancaster Pride, where she led efforts to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community in Lancaster. She also co-founded the Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition, working to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Her commitment to equity and inclusion extends to her board positions with the Keystone Business Alliance, where she supported LGBTQ+ businesses and professionals, and the Lancaster YWCA, where she has worked to empower women, eliminate racism, and build relationships between the YWCA and local LGBTQ+ organizations to support mission-aligned initiatives. As a commissioner on the City of Lancaster Human Relations Commission, Jessica worked to promote equality and address discrimination at the municipal level.

Currently, she serves on the YWCA Lancaster Mission Committee, a position she has held since 2020, where she continues to support the organization's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. She is also the Director of Human Relations at Lancaster County Chooses Love, a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals, creating safe social spaces, and connecting community members with local resources.

Activism-Aligned Professional Work

As the Founder and CEO of FIC Human Resource Partners, Jessica has dedicated herself to fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Her contributions to the field of human resources and organizational leadership include the development of the 9 Principles of Employee Care, a set of guidelines aimed at ensuring employee well-being and satisfaction. She also created the 9 Principles of Leadership Excellence, a framework designed to guide leaders in fostering inclusive and effective leadership.

Jessica developed a 4-Question Framework for Achieving Equity in Policy, a tool that helps organizations implement fair and equitable policies. And she developed the SIO Culture Model, a comprehensive approach to cultivating inclusive workplace environments that prioritize diversity, equity, and belonging.

Acting

Beyond her literary and activist endeavors, Jessica has explored acting, participating in both commercial and theatrical productions. In the late 2000s, she appeared in regional commercials for Bah-hum-bug Pest Control. Her film experience includes working as an extra in the 2019 independent film Adam, directed by Rhys Ernst. The film, based on the novel of the same name by Ariel Schrag, explores themes of gender identity, queer culture, and the complexities of relationships within the LGBTQ+ community.

Jessica also took to the stage in Dr. Voynich’s Children at the Susquehanna Stage, portraying the titular character, Dr. Voynich. This dystopian sci-fi play by Leanna Keyes is set in a future where reproductive freedoms are heavily restricted, and follows a group of underground activists providing necessary healthcare to those in need. The play explores themes of bodily autonomy, resistance, and the ethical dilemmas faced by those challenging oppressive regimes.

Through her diverse body of work, Jessica Jaymes Purdy exemplifies a commitment to advocacy, creativity, and leadership. Whether through literature, activism, professional contributions, or artistic expression, she continues to make a profound impact on her community and beyond.