Retired SGM (A) Currently working as Human Resources Specialist for the state.

I am a proud daughter, sister, mother and wife. I have been married for 27 years to my wonderful husband Marvin, who is also retired military. We have five adult children: 3 girls and 2 boys. I love spending time with my family. When I am not with them, I am giving back to the community through volunteer service.

What are your thoughts on aging?

My thoughts on aging: It comes with the territory and there is no way around it. You can let it get the best of you or you can make the best of it. Live life as it comes, if you have to look back, only glance and make a mental note, but continue to move forward backwards is not the way to go.

I love my age, because growth and wisdom comes with age and we all can use a little of both as we move through life.

What wonderful things can younger women look forward to at your age? Younger women and girls, might think that it's scary getting older. Let's inspire them!

Freedom & Peace of Mind!

Freedom to live your life out loud on your own terms and not worry or care about what others say or think. Little things that might have worried or bothered me when I younger have no space in my thoughts now. My happiness is about me, and not what others think or say about me. Learn to control your peace of mind and freedom to live out loud now and it will be an added value later. I love the person I am today and looking back I love that person too, but doubted her because of others.

Share tips on how you celebrate yourself, what you do for fun, and self care.

Celebrating myself includes Girl Time with my daughters (i.e movies, mani/pedis, shopping or Sunday brunches). There is no specific or favorite place. We just get in where we fit in. And then there is Adult GirlTime with my Sisters, where we share laughs, love, food and wine, one to two times a month at different homes.

Share one experience/story. We all have life struggles. But the big share is how did you over come and lift yourself up? Advice to other women to empower them.

Becoming a teen mother. The feeling of guilt, becoming a statistic and not being able to per-sue my dreams were things that I struggled with for a long while. But my mother who I am sure was disappointed, never let me linger to long in that guilt. She pushed me to do more. I worked to support myself and my daughter and she worked to ensure I did not give up on my dreams. I graduated high school and went on to graduate college.

Advice: Never give up on yourself. Even if life takes you on a detour, embrace the turn and slowly steer yourself back on right direction. Bad times only last as long as you want them too.

What would you tell your 14-year-old self?

Girl you got this. Your dreams will come true. Although there some obstacles in your path, keep pushing you are headed for triumph and success. Love ya, see you soon!!!

What is your definition of success?

Some might view success in the form monetary possessions such as money, cars, etc., but I measure my success in things I set out to accomplish. Graduated HS and college, retired honorable, reached the highest rank, successful marriage, and debt free college experience for kids just to list a few. There is a checkmark in each of these categories, so far I am a success with much more successes to come. Success to me is setting goals and reaching them and than setting more.

What is the best advice you have been given?

Never change who you are. You will do more, be more and become more, as you grow, always remember, You don’t have to change to make change in the world. 

Twenty years from now, when you look at these portraits we took together, what do you think you will say to yourself?

Damn I look good THEN and NOW!