The biggest obstacle in my life was finding and sustaining the courage to face my past so that I can heal and also be a place of healing for others.

I have struggled and God has always come through for me, and I want pass that blessing on.

Witnessing those you love decline in health definitely takes a toll on you mentally, physically, and spiritually.

One of my most cherished memories is having Dr. Martin Luther King sign my high school yearbook.

One of the big problems I’d like to help solve is ensuring every Oklahoma child has a loving family. While the number of children in government care has thankfully decreased from over 11,000 in 2015 to 5,971 today, the work isn’t done.

Regardless of their background, ethnicity, or any other demographic, children should feel welcome and able to learn. 

I want to do everything and can easily find myself in a state of overwhelm by trying to do too many things at once.

We only have now – the present moment. The future isn’t guaranteed. That forces me to remember that if today is my last on this Earth, I’ll live it out of love. It allows me to be more intentional about my actions and thoughts and live for today instead of focusing on tomorrow. 

I feel a deep sense of satisfaction using my gifts and talents to serve others. It takes time and hard work to hone skills, so being willing to freely give them can seem contrary, but I think it is the beauty of community. 

I’m proud that a little girl who was adopted at two-and-a-half and raised primarily by a single dad with a third grade education (without much money but lots of love) was blessed to go back to college later in life and complete a Bachelor’s degree. 

Self-doubt, which causes me to do too much or get stuck in perfectionism and criticism. It’s not a healthy approach to work or life and one I am still working on. 

I see myself as part of a larger network of women educating other women. I want to be as emotionally intelligent as I am financially intelligent. I want every woman I meet to walk away feeling confident. 

The reminder to just keep trying when something doesn’t work out the first time and to stay committed to your goal (even when things get tough or busy) has helped me become the person I am today. 

If we all viewed the world as ours and opened our eyes to how complex and interconnected our existence is, I think the level of apathy would significantly drop.

I get to love students who have a vision for a better tomorrow. I get to love families who are frustrated with financial aid and affording “the dream.” I get to and that’s an incredible, incredible gift. 

I hope I continue to be open to learning and evolving. I hope to be an inspiration to others to follow your passion and you won’t feel like you’ve worked a day in your life. 

I feel proud when my community works together. Oklahoma County has many organizations that collaborate to holistically treat our most vulnerable citizens.

Looking back, I have always been an extremely hard worker, and even in the face of adversity and as a single mother for most of my children’s childhoods, I was often working three jobs at a time to make ends meet and make sure our family could be comfortable. 

My dad has always said that, despite life’s circumstances, you get to wake up and decide if you are going to have a good day or a bad day.

My dad has always said that, despite life’s circumstances, you get to wake up and decide if you are going to have a good day or a bad day.