Challenge / Hurdle: It’s the month of July, the year 1976 and I had just recently experienced attending my senior prom and graduation in May. The United Kingdom was experiencing a heatwave and St Louis, Mo also had hot temperatures, but I was preparing for the next chapter in my life, I would soon be a college student. The excitement of my next journey was infectious.
The dream of college was shattered instead of packing to leave for college I learned that I would be packing the items needed when the time came for me to go to the hospital and deliver my now 42 year old daughter born March 30, 1977. A young, unemployed, African American, single mom with many emotional challenges to deal with. My parents were disappointed but supportive and told me not to worry because my daughter and I would be cared for at their expense and I could continue the road to higher learning.
Path to Recover: I learned from my parents that a parent should provide a child their birth right, so I begin the employment journey versus the college journey. I was determined to support my child as my parents supported their children. I started working for Jewish Hospital on August 23,1977. Intent on making a decent salary I learned all job functions in the Telecommunications department, excelled and my promotion to switchboard operator supervisor happened 5 years later. I continued to learn, promotions continued, marriage and divorce occurred, and my 2 children aged.
My Best Advice: Oh, and at age 50 I went to college and earned my bachelor’s degree. Challenges are opportunities for change, and I became a “better me”.
Written By: Anonymous
