Biography | Jeanette Rishell

Meet Jeanette

Family First

My story is an American story. I was born and raised in a loving Filipino-American extended family. My Dad, Alex Reyes, and his two brothers Florencio and Quin were born in the Philippines around the turn of the last century. Right before World War I, they joined the U.S. Navy. My father used Florencio's identification in order to sign up since he was too young.

They eventually ended up in New York. They were generally either in the Navy or Merchant Marine for several decades.

They were also excellent musicians and played in one of the many small bands and orchestras which at that time could afford a person a modest living. My Dad played the guitar, mandolin and Hawaiian steel guitar. My uncle Quin played the guitar and steel guitar. Uncle Florencio did not play any instruments; he remained in the Navy and made it a career. My godfather Max played the bass.

Of the three brothers, my Dad was the one who really wanted to attend college. Having no resources of his own, he was able to find a sponsor. He began attending college, but had to drop out. The Great Depression wiped out the assets of his sponsor, who could no longer pay for my Dad’s tuition and books.

I am named after my mother. She and Dad met when they both played in the same orchestra. My mother played the piano, guitar and was the singer. They were married in 1937. My Mom also attended college briefly, but found the same financial obstacles and did not finish. She had also toured in vaudeville through the south in 1928 and 1929 before she met my Dad.

Mom bought the motorcycle in the picture from a friend in 1919. She took my grandmother to work in the side car of the motorcycle. It's understood in my family that she was the first woman to own and drive a motorcycle in Toronto, which is where she bought it. She also learned how to compete in tub races and did very well. My grandmother made her stop because it was too dangerous.

During the Great Depression, people were getting laid off, the bread lines were forming and some people (many in the Filipino community) had no place to go. They were put out of their apartments and were homeless. My mother fortunately had kept her job and her apartment. She opened her home to friends and the friends of friends until they could get their bearings.

At one time she said there were about 25 people sleeping on her living room floor. Although it was a crowded situation, everyone pitched in as best they could to tidy the apartment and cook meals, etc.

My dad was Merchant Marine during WWII, and his ship was sunk off the coast of Greenland by a German torpedo. He had always slept fully dressed and prepared for emergency. Some of his friends would sleep in their underwear, but he never did.

That saved his life because when the men poured onto the life rafts in the icy waters of the north Atlantic, some of them froze to death waiting to be picked up. He had many friends who never came home from the war.

My dad loved to cook and my mom said he was always prepared and meticulous about his cooking, too. All ingredients were lined up and ready, kitchen cleaned immaculately and veggies were chopped ahead of time and so on. She said his oyster stuffing at Thanksgiving was the absolute best!

Oral history was an important part of our family. We always gathered after dinner, telling stories out of the past in words that could express the vivid reality of the moment. Some of the best times were when aunts and uncles and cousins (many now passed away) came for parties and reunions and shared their stories.

One evening, I was given an idea of what it might have been like to be Asian within weeks of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Shortly after the bombing, my dad had several friends who were pulled from their car on the way to work by a group of young men, and beaten because they “looked” Japanese. They were lucky to have survived. This happened in New York City. From then on, they drove their car with a small sign taped to their car that read, “We are Filipino, we are not Japanese”.

When I think of the disrespect that I saw my two uncles and Godfather receive, I can't help but remember how patriotic they and my dad really were. When we attended events where the National Anthem was played, I looked around me and no one stood up any straighter or more respectful than my family.

Jeanette and Miranda I was the first person in my family to graduate from college when I graduated from Pennsylvania State University. I studied history and was inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society.

Together with Ed, my husband of 39 years, I've raised two daughters, Emily and Stacey. I also worked in the financial services industry. Ed and I also have been blessed with three beautiful granddaughters: Miranda (pictured), Cora and Vivian.

A Commitment to Community

I've been a resident of Northern Virginia for 30 years, and I've lived in Manassas Park for 14 years. In that time I've held membership in a variety of local organizations that both reflect and promote a strong community:

Prince William County/Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce, member
Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce, member
Committee of 100, twice served as their Director from Manassas Park
League of Women Voters, member
Unity in the Community, former Secretary/Recorder and Vice Chair
NAACP, member
American Association of University Women, member
“Yes You Can! Young Lady-Young Man” youth mentoring foundation, Board Member
Manassas Park Electoral Board, former Vice Chair
Bull Run Unitarian Universalists Congregation, member and Board Liaison
Leadership Prince William, Class of 2009

In 2006 I received the “Voices of Women” award presented by the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

A Vision for Virginia

With the unfortunate passing of Delegate Harry Parrish in 2006, I stepped forward to continue his legacy of public service. That same year I attended the Sorensen Institute’s Candidate Training Program at UVA’s Cooper Center for Public Service in Charlottesville, VA.

I've campaigned tirelessly since then, asking the voters of the 50th District to join the effort to improve our quality of life and ensure everyone has a fair and equal path to opportunity.

I'm running again because Virginia faces financial hardships and the General Assembly’s commitment to education, public safety and healthcare is wavering. Now more than ever Virginia must re-focus on core services; I will lead the fight to strengthen our families, communities and Commonwealth.