Creator, Founder & CEO

Yvette Jones-Swanson, M.A. Creator & Founder of 100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans, NFP

Yvette Jones-Swanson, the 9th of 10 children, comes from a proud military family in Chicago. Inspired by her relatives' service—Uncle Ralph in WWII, and three brothers in the Marine Corps—Yvette joined the US Army in 1983. Her military career ended early due to injuries, but her resilience led her to a new path. Despite experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, and living in shelters, Yvette persevered. She found stability working at the Chicago Department of Revenue, where she discovered her passion for real estate. Earning her license in 1996 and a Master's Degree from NEIU in 1998, she has since helped over 5,000 homeless veterans secure housing, becoming known as a "Life Changer."

In 2015, as Vice Chair of the Village of Park Forest, Yvette launched "100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans," an initiative providing essential items to homeless female veterans. This effort, now a non-profit, has celebrated and supported these women for nine years. Yvette continues to inspire, dedicating her life to serving veterans and empowering those in need.