The child of Virginia natives, Jean Blackwell was born in Georgia, moved around as a child before settling in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Blackwell followed her older brother, a member of the Tribe basketball team, and attended William & Mary from 1972-1976. During her childhood, few athletic opportunities existed for girls in small towns. However, she joined the field hockey and lacrosse teams, eventually playing for the varsity squad in the latter. Combining her athletic experience with a degree in Economics and a concentration in classical music, Blackwell served in several positions in the cabinet of Indiana Governor Evan Bayh, whose father is called the “Father of Title IX.” She is the current Executive VP at Cummins, Inc. and has served as CEO of the Cummins Foundation. She discusses her background and her experiences on campus, as well as the progress she’s seen at William & Mary in gender, race, and LGBTQIA+ relations as a gay alumna.