Reader Finds Inspiration in Nonprofit Leader’s Story

INBOX

To the Editor:

I am a 43-year-old trying to break back into the work force after being off with medical problems for the past three years. I barely made it through high school, and now realize what a mistake it was to take my education so lightly. In today’s times, when an education is the key to success, I finally got the chance to go back to school and realize my dreams.

While I was off over this short period of time, I decided to take hold of my future, and do what I have always wanted to do — write short stories. Although I only have two short stories that have been published, I can see now that if I would have studied harder, and taken the time to “hit those books” after my part-time job, I would have been published a long time ago, possibly even worked for a publishing company.

Being raised by a grandmother, and having to work part-time after school, was my excuse for not getting a proper education. This should have never held me back. All this time later, I realize that. So many women are in the same position I am. This is what brought me to the decision to start a nonprofit organization called Women Helping Women Succeed: mentoring, counseling, giving women the resources they need to go back to school and realize their dreams. However, after doing the research and seeing what it took to do this, I was ready to give up on that idea.

After reading Karen E. Mecham’s article of success, I know now that I am destined to start this organization. If I give up on my idea, in the planning stages of the organization, I feel as if I would be turning my back on other women who could make it in this world if they, too, had the proper initiative. That’s why Women Helping Women Succeed is going to be such a success. Because women like Karen E. Mecham did it. She succeeded, and so can I.

Tammy R. Cruz
Austin, Tex.

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