What made you want to become an IBCLC?

My former mentor and supervisor Loma Gray. While I worked for her as a WIC Peer, she always encouraged me to keep growing. Loma was one of the greatest people I was blessed to know and love. She was a nurse midwife and IBCLC. Her passing has motivated me to keep growing and her memory continues to encourage me.

What impact do you hope to make as an IBCLC?

I hope to encourage women and families that feel like breastfeeding is too hard and feel it won’t work for them and their lifestyle. I started off as a teen mom, not knowing anything and continued as a single mother of six children that has learned and gained so much. I want others to know they can do it.

Why is winning Pacify's Diversity in Lactation Scholarship is meaningful to you?

Winning Pacify's Diversity in Lactation Scholarship is so meaningful to me because there has been times in my journey when I didn’t think it was possible to become a IBCLC. There were times when I have been discouraged. My mentor's memory and this scholarship gives me the hope and motivation to keep pushing and pressing towards my goal no matter how hard it gets.