Janet Emerson Bashes made a difference in the world through both her business and her community service. Through her business, Emerson Corporation, she controls a human resource consulting firm that helps businesses better manage their human resources. She is the first African American woman to patent a software program, LinkLine, the program used to streamline human resource paperwork.

In addition to these achievements, she gives back to her community through her involvement in several organizations. She is on the board for the North Harris Montgomery County Community College District Foundation and PrepProgram, a program aimed to help at-risk student-athletes prepare for their college career. She also chairs the corporate advisory board for the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. and served on a women's leadership board for Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.