In Her Words: Carolyn B. Jackson's Journey to the Statehouse

We often hear stories about politicians who grew up dreaming of becoming president or representing their hometowns. But for Representative Carolyn B. Jackson, politics wasn’t even on her radar — her earliest aspiration was to become a nun.

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Jackson attended Catholic school, where she was deeply influenced by the nuns who taught her. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in counseling from Lincoln University in Missouri. During her master’s program, she interned with the Cole County Juvenile Attention Center as a juvenile officer, shaping her early understanding of community service.

Before entering public office, Jackson spent 30 years as a sociologist and counselor with the Cook County Adult Probation Department, guiding individuals and families through the justice system.

After moving to Hammond, Indiana, in 2000, she noticed a lack of local conversation around important community issues — and decided to act.

“I felt people in the community were just going along with the way things were, rather than taking action,” Jackson shared.

She began volunteering locally to better understand residents’ needs and where her skills could be most useful. Though her first run for city office was unsuccessful, she continued serving through community work.

“When the former state representative got ready to retire, she said a lot of things in my background mirrored hers,” Jackson recalled. “She asked me if I would consider running for the position. I gave it some thought — and the rest is history.”

Jackson was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives on November 6, 2018. Since then, she’s taken on several leadership roles, including Assistant Democratic Whip, Vice Chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, and Ranking Democrat on the House Elections and Apportionment Committee.

A Conversation with Rep. Jackson

I had the opportunity to represent Community Advocates of Northern Indiana during a recent interview with Rep. Jackson following the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus’s East Chicago stop on their statewide town hall tour.

(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)

What keeps her going?

Despite serving in a Republican supermajority, Jackson’s motivation remains the 67,000 people in her district who count on her to be their voice.

“They’ve entrusted me with the honor of representing them, and I will continue to let my voice be heard for them,” she said.

Jackson regularly sends her constituents a survey to gather feedback, which she references during the legislative session. She also distributes email updates to keep residents informed year-round.

Where does she live during the legislative session?

“Throughout the legislative session, I travel back and forth each week,” Jackson said. “Usually, I go down on a Sunday or Monday and come back on Thursday.”

Do you have friends across the aisle?

“Yes, I have friends on both sides of the aisle,” Jackson said.

She emphasized that open communication often reveals shared challenges among lawmakers.

“It may not be here in Northwest Indiana — it might be Southern or Central Indiana — but we often face the same issues,” she explained. “When you talk and build relationships, you realize that. Many bills that pass are bipartisan because of that collaboration.”

How do you feel about the last session?

“A lot of things that went through were not things I supported,” Jackson said. “Like House Bill 1001 — the budget cuts to Medicaid. But there were also people on the other side of the aisle who weren’t in favor of them either.”

Still, she acknowledged that progress takes time.

“You can’t get everything you want in one session,” she said. “Sometimes you get a small win this session, another the next, and eventually you build the full package.”

What are you looking forward to next session?

“I’m hoping to get some good legislation through — particularly around Medicaid, senior citizens, education, and environmental issues,” Jackson said.

In the last session alone, she served as author, co-author, or sponsor of 47 bills and resolutions, including House Bill 1024 (Medicaid reimbursement for children’s hospitals) and House Bill 1076 (Alzheimer’s disease and dementia education).

Her advice to readers

“Don’t be shy about letting your voice be heard,” Jackson emphasized. “Check out the bills that are coming up. If there’s something you don’t understand or don’t agree with, contact your legislator. Ask questions and share your perspective.”

She added that different lived experiences can shape better policymaking.

“Some legislators have only lived in urban areas, others in rural ones. Just having those conversations can change minds.”

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Carolyn B. Jackson’s journey shows that purpose can emerge in unexpected ways. She saw a need for more advocacy in her community — and stepped up.

Her leadership and dedication continue to make a lasting impact across Northwest Indiana.

Read more about Representative Jackson's work at the Indiana House Democratic Caucus website: https://www.indianahousedemocrats.org/members/carolyn-b-jackson