Spotlight: Every Woman of Action Makes a Difference!
We’re bringing back our Spotlight Woman of the Month, and this time we’re celebrating the Heart and Action of one of our very own Arizona Women of Action Executive Team Directors, Janet Poppe! Janet’s one of the Original AZWOA Board Members. Many of you know her as that great connector who loves to put positive, impactful people together, and watch what happens! Janet has a huge smile and knows no stranger. She’s also sharp and a go-getter.... I’m proud to have her on our team, and happy to share her story with you. You’ll be inspired today! ~ Kim
The year 2020 was a wake-up call for many—including me. Our nation faced unrest and division, with BLM riots, COVID, and threats to our liberties. But amidst the chaos, I had a realization: local politics is crucial to preserving our freedoms. Who holds positions of power—our Governor, Mayor, city council members, and school board representatives—directly impacts our daily lives.
I was part of a group of eight frustrated women on a text chain, all of us feeling the urgent need to get involved but unsure how. So, we started recruiting friends to learn alongside us and take simple, meaningful actions within our communities. Kim Miller took the lead in organizing us, ultimately founding Arizona Women of Action (AZWOA).
As part of the Executive Team, I launched the AZWOA Freedom from Human Trafficking Team, partnering with the Dream Center to support trafficking survivors and advance education and awareness efforts. Our mission was to provide tangible resources for victims while equipping communities with the knowledge needed to prevent exploitation. Recently I've focused on building connections with other freedom-loving grassroots organizations, supporting school board candidates, and seeking out more driven, action-oriented, busy women to make a difference.
For me, the most rewarding part of this journey has been witnessing busy women taking small steps that create a big impact. There is strength in numbers. Many of us have found our “tribe,” become precinct committeemen—like my husband and I—or even decided to run for office.
AZWOA’s weekly Call to Action email has become a trusted resource for thousands of people like me—those who want a clear, concise breakdown of the key issues affecting Arizona families and freedoms, along with specific ways to take action. Our annual AZWOA Summit sells out quickly, and if you’ve attended, you know why! It’s a powerful mix of camaraderie, education, prayer, and patriotism, all wrapped in an energizing and uplifting experience.
Politics won’t change unless our culture changes. We need to return to respectful conversations, listening with open minds and loving hearts. God is love. We are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
A little about me: I’m originally from Washington State (go Huskies!) and moved to Arizona for work after college. Here, I met my husband, and we’ve now been married for 32 years. We have three wonderful sons, amazing daughters-in-law, and the most adorable granddaughter.
Professionally, I spent 23 years at Johnson & Johnson before transitioning to Pacira BioSciences, where I served as Vice President of Payer and Employer Relations, advocating for non-opioid solutions in post-surgical pain management. After retiring in 2023, I started my own consulting business—keeping me busy, but never too busy to fulfill my civic duty. I stay engaged with my school board, legislators, and pending legislation because freedom requires participation.
I love God, my family, Arizona (yes, even in the summer!), and America.