Janet Reagon grew up with Rex Brasher’s photo in a place of honor and his pictures on the walls, as her grandparents were his good friends. In 2008, she was one of the founders of the Rex Brasher Association and served as its president for ten years.
Janet is a graduate of Wellesley College and SUNY New Paltz. In her career as a teacher in both Massachusetts and New York, she served in numerous leadership positions, including vice president of the Norwood Teachers Association and president of the Webutuck Teachers Association. She was a member of the New York State United Teachers Committee for Social Studies and represented Webutuck on the advisory board of the Dutchess Educational Health Insurance Consortium. Her work on curriculum development projects brought Advanced Placement U.S. History to Webutuck and combined economics and government into a course for high school seniors. She also advised the National Honor Society, Mock Court, and Student Council.
A long-time environmental activist, Janet helped found the Oblong Valley Association and served as its treasurer. The OVA was ultimately successful in defeating a proposed rock quarry after a ten-year battle. She also chaired the Wastewater Committee for the Town of Amenia in New York.
As Supervisor of the Town of Amenia, her achievements include the adoption of an updated Comprehensive Plan, a new Zoning Law to implement it, and the cleanup of a Superfund site at the Old Amenia Landfill to create a park. She also served as chair of the Amenia Democratic Party and president of the Dutchess Democratic Women’s Caucus.
Now retired, Janet is committed to educating people about Rex Brasher’s art and his compelling life story. It is important on many levels: the paintings themselves, science, history, and the environment. His accomplishments should be known and celebrated by all Americans.