Two words from her boss – shared nearly four years ago – are etched into the memory and onto the heart of Jenna Maki, Performance Excellence Coordinator at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield, IL. Jenna is the wife of another Illini employee, Laura Maki, Informatics Analyst. The couple has been together through civil union and then marriage, when it became legal for same sex couples, for 10 years.

“It was my first year at Illini, and it was Laura’s and my anniversary,” she recalls. “It’s a small organization and everybody knows everybody else’s birthdays and anniversaries. Kathy Hull, who held the title of chief executive officer of Illini Community Hospital at that time – wished us a happy anniversary.”

“10 years ago, I would never have thought that I would be working for an organization that would treat us like anyone else, and that the CEO would wish us a happy anniversary. That was extremely impactful. I cried a lot that day because it meant so much.”

“We are so grateful for Illini and Blessing Health System and Pike County,” she continued. “It’s not even a question of do we feel included or excluded. We feel normal. We don’t feel different from anyone else here. We’re part of the community. That is how it should be.”

The Makis moved to Pittsfield seven years ago from New England, where Laura was born and raised. Jenna is a native of the Pike County, Illinois community of Griggsville. They are the parents of Henry, 9, and Charlie, 4, delivered by Laura through in vitro fertilization.

“People ask us, ‘What’s it like living in Pike County as a same sex couple?’ Jenna stated. “I tell them we live normal lives here. We are fortunate. Other people don’t have the same story we do. We’re grateful for that positive experience.”

Make no mistake. The women have experienced prejudice in other communities and with other employers.

“I think that just comes with the territory,” Laura said. “You always feel a little guarded because you just don’t know how other people will react. We would never want to make people feel uncomfortable. We have respect for everyone and deserve and appreciate the same level of respect in return.”

“For every person I've encountered that has felt the need to express their disappointment or disapproval, I've had 100 more showing me kindness, love, and acceptance,” Jenna added.

Jenna and Laura share their positive outlook on life with their children. Recently, another youngster made fun of Henry for having two mothers.

“Henry used that as a teaching opportunity, to talk to the boy about how all families are made differently – some children are raised by grandparents, some are adopted, some are from divorced families,” Jenna said. “We are really proud of him that he could do that, and not let it bother him.”

“We talk about it at home, that all families are different,” Laura added. “That’s one of the big things we teach our kids. It’s fine to see the differences, just treat people with respect.”

Jenna and Laura are keenly aware of, and sensitive to, the prejudice and discrimination experienced by others – based on factors including gender, sexual preference and identity and race.

“There’s a lot more work to be done in the future to include everybody and to have a really inclusive environment,” Laura concluded. “But we are thankful and grateful for the direction that we are heading.”