Jo Anne Jeffries, a North Carolina native, is a graduate of Duke University where she majored in English and minored in history.  She taught junior high school English and history before becoming a teacher in all subjects to homebound students in the third through the twelfth grades.  At the community college level, she also taught adults who were learning disabled,  and foreign students who were learning English as a second language.

 

After serving for several years on the board of the Autism Society of North Carolina, Ms. Jeffries was appointed executive  director, a post she held for five years.  During her years as director, the fledgling society grew to an annual budget of $750,000, and became a significant advocate for autistic individuals and their families.  Under her leadership, the organization became a United Way agency and was the recipient of several large foundation grants, which enabled it to establish the first group home in the nation for individuals with autism who could be competatively employed.

 

Ms. Jeffries is nationally recognized for her work in the field of autism.  She was a Vice President of the Autism Society of America and chairman of the society's government affairs and nominating  committees.  While there, she worked with the pro bono attorney and the director to enable the National Society to obtain landmark regulations that made it possible for persons with autism and other developmental disabilities throughout the nation to be eligible for services.  She has spoken before groups throughout the country and is the author of numerous articles, brochures, and pamphlets on autism.

 

She and her husband, a United Methodist minister,  had four children.