I recall that I had mentioned the teaching mentor that I had who always said if you go to school and work hard you can do anything. And I would say going to school means continuous education. It doesn’t need to be a structured school, but it’s important that people are always learning. And I do think that it’s important for individuals in future generations to know that they need to contribute to their own destiny. It’s not something – it’s not an entitlement – and that they have to work for themselves to accomplish something. So that would be my advice – what was passed on to me. I would say continue your education, not necessarily that it needs to be in a formal setting and work hard by contributing to your own destiny.
Patricia Jones was born in Worcester in a neighborhood near Chandler Street. She dropped out of school at age 16 to marry and have children. When she divorced, she realized that her calling was to public accounting. She attended Quinsigamond Community College and discovered she liked accounting. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and later her graduate degree from Bentley University. Patricia Jones began working as a partner and eventually became the owner of P.L. Jones & Associates, P.C. She is dedicated to her work and doesn't even consider it a job. She has always been active in the community. She is a proponent of Abby's House that assists women in need. She is also involved in the Greater Worcester Foundation. She reflects on the changes in Worcester over time, how women are still at a disadvantage, and the excellent family support system that she has.