Women Celebrating Women

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In honor of National Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, the women of UCAN answered simple yet honest question:

Who is a woman that inspires you and why?

“My grandmother. She was a hard worker and a fierce protector. She worked in an Italian restaurant in the kitchen. 

I remember her and my grandpa taking us on vacation to northern Wisconsin each summer and she would cook at the lodge the second week we were there. I didn’t learn until I was older that she was working on our vacation to ‘help pay for our cabin.'”

— Stephanie Franklin, Vice President of Teen Parenting Services Network

 

 

“My mother is THE  woman that inspires me. She motivated me to grow and learn without barriers. I accepted the challenge. She is the reason I am who I am and where I am today.

‘We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.’ -Maya Angelou”

— Latoya Thomas, Office Coordinator

 

 

 

“The woman who inspires me is my life coach Love McPherson. She is one of the kindest, hardworking women I know who makes time for her family and for those who seek her guidance. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.” 

— Adreiona Fox, Youth Development Coach

 

 

 

“I’ve been blessed to benefit from an amazing tribe of women.  I think of each woman as a unique and important  piece of thread that when woven together make up the fabric of the woman I am today.  One of those women was my Grandmother.  She sowed seeds around faith, grace, advocacy, patience, femininity, loving-kindness, sense of thoughtful stewardship and service that greatly impacted my journey toward womanhood.  The icing on the cake? I have an amazing opportunity to model and create dialog with other young ladies around these characteristics as they define for themselves the type of women they’d like to become.” 

— Ladon Brumfield, Project Manager, Workforce Development 

 

 

“My mother.  She lives life on her terms, stepping out on faith to pursue her goals as a woman, a mother and a professional.  She sets an example not just by word, but also by deed, teaching me to do the same.”

— Tamara Reed Tran, Associate Vice President, Development

 

 

“Nina Ahmed, a family friend, was a woman of style and pizzazz, but held a wealthy amount of wisdom that she often shared with me. She taught me how to stay humble and modest. She often told me that ‘people are who they are, baby, but it’s up to you to know the difference.’”

— Angie Williams, Contents/Records Coordinator, Finance