jennifer march
Success, Love
and Happiness…
50 years on
At 65, Jennifer March (Jen) celebrates love & happiness as a wife, mother, grandmother, and professional audiobook narrator. But until age 50, her story read differently.
As a child, Jennifer’s family followed her dad’s career as a corrections officer from one “prison town” to the next, and the constant uprooting chipped at her sense of belonging. So, when she discovered acting and dramatic reading in her teens, they offered a welcome, onstage home.
“I discovered my passion as a high-school sophomore,” Jen says, “and by senior year, I was a ‘star.’ I knew, this is what I want to do!”
But moving forward, the aspiring actress’s script became less clear. Math and science proved degree-busting bugaboos for the San Francisco State Theater Arts major. And acting auditions were excruciating, too.
“I lacked confidence and was too thin-skinned,” Jen says. “If I didn’t get the role, I was devastated.”
Consequently, she dropped out of school, but kept living in San Francisco, and was content sandwiching theater classes and one-act plays between waitressing roles.
Until… 5:04 pm, October 17, 1989
“I’d just turned 30 and was working at Miz Brown’s diner on Clement Street when Loma Prieta hit,” she recalls. “The 6.9 earthquake shattered all the windows, knocked out the power, and we could see flames in the Marina District. It was a scary, devastating time that changed my life — prompting me to quit putting things off and do what I wanted to do!”
The time had come for Jennifer to follow her inner “Jo.” Jo March, that is. Narrating sister in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women,” and Jen’s literary mirror.
“I AM Jo,” she insists. And in many ways, that self-appointed shoe fits.
Like Jo, this second eldest of four March sisters is independent, vivacious, clever, and “different.” But unlike Jo, Jennifer’s girly taste for teacups, tulips, and Art Deco glamour softens the edge of her feminist rants and political banter.
Over the next decade, Jen needed both sides of those balanced, Libra traits. By age 38, life’s spotlight had fully shifted from creative ambition to weighty responsibility. She was now: On a corporate leadership track. Mom to two young sons (with a beau she didn’t wish to marry). Residing an hour north of SF in Petaluma (her hometown at birth). And reeling from a recent diagnosis: Her 2-year-old had Autism.
“At the time, there was absolutely NO medical or social support for understanding how to help him,” she recalls the frustration. “My son was nonverbal and had highly emotional outbursts that quickly eliminated daycare & preschool options. I tried to keep working, but it became impossible.“
Fast forward. After 10 years sustaining single mom/primary caregiver life as a virtual assistant and website designer… Creative inspiration reappeared!
At a 2009 “dream” workshop, Jen recalls, “We all connected to heartfelt desires we most wanted to do — and once again, I knew! Readers Theater.”
Since then, Jen’s life has been a string of success.
2009-present: Jen’s first Reader’s Theater production – Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” – is now a 15-year Petaluma tradition. Varied show themes are ongoing, including Take Me Out to the Ballgame, featuring interpretations of "Who's on First" and "Casey at the Bat."
2012-present: At age 52, Jen married “the absolute love of my life,” who supports her creative visions and shares in making long-desired travel dreams come true.
2017-present: Jen reads classic short stories from the Public Domain on her Not Your Mother’s Story Time community radio show. The readings are also recorded as YouTube podcasts (particularly popular with young adults studying English).
2019-present: Jen’s Voices is this narrator’s now-thriving audiobook career. She’s narrated 70 books of varied literary genres (so far), and garnered 2024 nominations for Best Voice Over and Short Story Anthology.
Being in the recording booth is Jen’s happy place.
“For over 15 years, I've had the pleasure of breathing life into stories — on stage, over the airwaves, and now, from my favorite place — behind the mic,” she says. “As long as my eyes and voice hold out, I never want to retire!”
Jo March would be proud :>)
Jennifer’s Insights at 65
1. What are you most grateful for?
My hair, LOL! I'm grateful for a stable home and partner to grow old with, and that my children are doing well.
2. What is your greatest joy?
Touching people’s hearts with a story.
3. What is your greatest current challenge?
Balancing my passions with my family. Especially my responsibilities for my special-needs son.
4. What's your greatest motivator?
The idea of getting a really well-written book to narrate.
5. What’s the top meaningful more you still want to explore?
I’m not sure. I’m pretty happy with what I'm doing at the moment.
6. Within the wrinkles of time, what helps you stay strong & confident rather than feeling lost, invisible, or “over the hill?”
I take classes & webinars about narrating, and try to stay current about practicing my craft, always.
7. What is your “edge” — your superpower, that’s evolved with age?
In my industry, older women aren't as prevalent, so we usually get the heavier, juicier books to read because the young’ns are doing all the romance fluff!
8. What’s your greatest SURPRISE (so far) about being an older woman?
I guess being a grandmother, and what that feels like. I'm beginning to feel matriarchal. I never thought of myself that way, but it’s a pleasant surprise.
9. Name a 50+ woman, real or fictional — or share a quote — that inspires you. And why?
No family is what it appears to be on the outside. ~Maggie Smith, Dowager Countess in Downton Abby.
I love this quote, because when we're young, we tend to think our families are the worst! But as we learn more about ourselves and the people around us, these words become more and more true. Through time, I’ve been relieved to realize all families have issues and "stuff" to deal with. It also makes me feel more compassion and empathy for others.
10. Anything else you’d like to share or suggest to women in their third chapter?
It's never too late to be who you might have been! I had that quote on a fridge magnet for years. (That and "Snap out of it!" Haha!)