Representative Sharon MacDonell

6 days ago

I ask forgiveness for the length of this post. This is a speech I was supposed to give on the floor of the State House, back in December, with Kelly Jones at my side. But because of the political wranglings that happened during Lame Duck, I lost the opportunity to give Kelly this honor.
Today we begin working in our Lansing office without Kelly.

Many farewells begin by calling the moment “bittersweet.” But I can’t bring myself to use that word. Today is, quite simply, a sad day for me and for the constituents of House District 56. It’s a sad day because my incredible friend and colleague, Kelly Jones, has stepped away from her role as my Constituent Services Director.
Kelly and I have shared a special bond since we first met in 2008 in Troy. Over the years, our friendship has been forged through incredible challenges, victories, and shared memories. Together, we dove headfirst into the politics of Troy—saving our public library, holding leadership roles in local organizations, and even helping to recall a mayor. But as we worked to make our community stronger, we were also growing together as friends.

Our daughters, who are close in age, went from being four little girls running through playgrounds to the strong young women they are today. Along the way, Kelly and I shared their stories—stories of their triumphs, their struggles, some scary times, and their dreams. We supported one another through the loss of parents and other hardships. And through all of life’s ups and downs, our friendship held strong.
Then, in 2022, when our youngest daughters started college, we had a wild idea: What if I ran for office? And what if Kelly joined me in the journey? So, I ran, I won, and true to her word, Kelly jumped right in.

Now, for someone who hadn’t worked in an office in quite a while, Kelly could’ve been forgiven for needing some time to adjust. But no—Kelly didn’t just adjust. She excelled. She became one of the best front desks in Lansing, and more than that, she became the heart of our office. She kept me on track, brought order to chaos, managed hundreds of emails and calls every week, and—most importantly—made sure that every constituent who reached out to us felt heard, respected, and cared for.

One of her greatest achievements speaks volumes about who Kelly is. When a grandmother in our district was on the brink of homelessness, Kelly went above and beyond. She navigated a broken system—one that often shows indifference to people in crisis—and she made the impossible possible. Because of Kelly’s determination, that grandmother and her granddaughter found an apartment and stayed off the streets. I shudder to think where they might be without Kelly’s hard work and compassion.

And that’s who Kelly Jones is: a perfectionist with a heart of gold. She strives for the very best—whether it’s answering a tough question, solving a complex issue, or simply brightening someone’s day with her kindness and warmth.
So, while I’m so sad to lose Kelly from my office, I’m endlessly proud to call her my friend. She gave me the one term she promised, and she gave it her absolute all. She leaves behind an office that is better, and a community that is stronger because of her work.

I can’t wait to see where Kelly’s exciting future takes her—because I’m certain the best is yet to come.

Thank you, Kelly! ... See MoreSee Less

Representative Sharon MacDonell

2 weeks ago

Did you know that January is National Braille Literacy Month? Our public libraries Libraries maintain a dedicated collection of braille books, accessible through a special service connected to the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). Braille opens doors to independence, literacy, and lifelong learning for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Local libraries in House District 56:
Troy: troypl.org/
Clawson: www.cityofclawson.com/your_government/library/
Royal Oak: www.ropl.org/1532/Library
Birmingham: www.baldwinlib.org/
Bloomfield Township: btpl.org/

#NationalBrailleLiteracyMonth #inclusionmatters #publiclibraries #BrailleLiteracy ... See MoreSee Less

Representative Sharon MacDonell

2 weeks ago

As we enter a new year, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you in the Michigan House of Representatives. My hope is that we can work towards a successful Michigan in 2025! 💙✨

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy New Year! ... See MoreSee Less

Representative Sharon MacDonell

2 weeks ago

I would like to take take a moment to thank my intern Aanvi. Her hard work on policy research and dedication to serving constituents helped our office run smoothly. I'm proud of her accomplishments and excited to see all the great things she’ll achieve in the future!

#thefutureisbright ... See MoreSee Less

Representative Sharon MacDonell

2 weeks ago

As we reflect on the things we are grateful for this holiday season, I am thankful for the leadership of Ranjeev Puri. His dedication and vision make him the perfect choice to be House Minority Leader! #LetsGo2025 #workingforprogress #ForThePeople ... See MoreSee Less

Representative Sharon MacDonell

3 weeks ago

Happy Kwanzaa!

Let us reflect on the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa—Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. 🖤❤️💚 ... See MoreSee Less

Representative Sharon MacDonell

3 weeks ago

Happy Hanukkah! May this season of miracles inspire hope, joy, and peace in all our communities. ... See MoreSee Less

Representative Sharon MacDonell

3 weeks ago

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season! ... See MoreSee Less