Final answer:
The question asks about a character named Jeannette and her actions to improve life for herself and her children, but there is insufficient context to provide an answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is referencing a character named Jeannette from a work of literature. However, no specific context is given regarding who Jeannette is, which book she is from, or what she does to try and improve her and her children's lives.
As the information provided in the reference texts does not mention a Jeannette, it is not possible to provide a concise and factual answer about her actions and motives.