Myra Peabody Gossens

As a long time business owner, the financial bottom line was, quite often, the primary driver of decisions. Yes, I have always cared deeply about disenfranchised communities and people facing intractable obstacles between themselves and thriving. But when I became chair of the Jubilee Housing board, in my mind, capacity and resources — or the lack thereof — stayed intractably in the forefront. I thought of that as good, effective, responsible leadership. 

Over the 12 years of my leadership role, Jim Knight and I developed a dynamic and meaningful partnership that I will treasure for the rest of my life. With his vision and indomitable courage, Jim taught me to open my mind and heart to consider additional factors that impact decisions. Knowing the right thing to do, seeing possibilities, responding to real needs, counting on partners and friends and believing people yet unknown to us will appear to walk the journey with us. 

From Jim, I learned a new way to consider bottom line, and to this day it is defined by faith and an unshakable belief that we can and will make a difference. Jim led me full circle back to my parents’ everlasting faith, lost in the intervening years.  

The moment I first felt the possibility of faith as a factor in decision-making was when our board was wrestling with whether to move forward on a major undertaking that would enhance the lives of countless families. The spreadsheet said “no, not yet.” The community need said “yes, now.” I was still new in my role. A longtime board member, who was also a resident of a Jubilee building, quietly called the question. “How could we not?” she asked. I felt Jim’s eyes on me. I voted yes. 

My gratitude for how Jim changed my life and the lives of others is deep and wide, especially when I see the buildings and programs and partnerships — and the lives being lived more fully — that are in place today.