Rising Beyond the Odds: A Journey of Faith, Resilience, and Lifelong Learning
"Faith, perseverance, and a commitment to growth transform challenges into stepping-stones, building resilience and the wisdom to encourage others along life’s journey.”
A Note of Gratitude
“Chokma’shki” – (Hello, how are you). I am truly honored to be featured by Influential Women. Thank you for this opportunity to share my journey, the lessons I’ve learned, and the values that continue to guide me. Being part of a community that uplifts and inspires women to grow, persevere, and make an impact is a privilege I deeply cherish; “Yakoke” (Thank you).
Spotlight Feature
Life rarely follows a straight path, and mine has been marked by unexpected challenges, detours, and lessons that unfolded over decades. Yet through it all, faith carried me, resilience sustained me, and an unshakable belief in lifelong learning guided me forward.
I returned to college more than 30 years after high school, balancing full-time work, full-time classes, raising two children, and building my home. That experience reinforced one of my clearest lessons: education is never out of reach, and believing in yourself makes all the difference. Failures are not setbacks — they are stepping-stones that strengthen our resolve and our ability to succeed.
Over the past three decades, I have built a career with the Chickasaw Nation, gaining expertise in finance, procurement, and program development. These roles strengthened my skills in negotiation, problem-solving, and creating meaningful opportunities — and taught me that professional growth is rooted as much in collaboration and mentorship as in individual achievement.
That foundation naturally led to my current role as a Land Specialist with the Land Sustainability Department, where the focus is on protecting natural resources and sustaining ecosystem health. This work includes identifying orphan oil and gas wells on Tribal lands and testing them for methane emissions to prevent harmful gases from entering the atmosphere. It also encompasses forest and wetland delineation, environmental risk assessments, and carbon feasibility studies, all of which help guide responsible land management.
Just as importantly, these efforts extend into community-based initiatives such as tree planting projects that improve air quality, support biodiversity, and provide youth with hands-on learning. By blending environmental stewardship with Chickasaw cultural knowledge — for example, sharing traditional names of native trees such as Osak-Falaa’ (pecan tree) — these projects strengthen both the land, and the connection future generations will carry forward.
My personal passions — songwriting, caring for horses, and learning new skills like drawing — have all taught me the same lesson: growth is lifelong, and progress often happens outside your comfort zone. Adversities, both personal and professional, have shaped my character and strengthened my resolve.
Wisdom flows in all directions, and when we share knowledge, we lift and encourage others along with ourselves. By having the courage to share our stories and embracing the messiness of life together, we forge a dialogue where wisdom reverberates back and forth, creating a ripple effect. Every challenge and lesson shows that growth and resilience are inseparable — sharing knowledge multiplies its impact.
Key Takeaways
- Your starting point does not define your destination.
- Learning never ends — it comes in many forms, both personal and professional.
- Faith and perseverance provide the resilience to overcome life’s challenges.
- Sharing knowledge strengthens not only yourself, but those around you.
Final Reflection
The best lesson I have learned is simple: learning never ends, and neither should we. Whether in our personal passions, professional paths, or spiritual journeys, the principle is the same — keep growing, keep adapting, and keep lifting others as you rise. My journey has shown me that setbacks are not failures — they are stepping-stones. I hope my story inspires other women to rise beyond the odds, embrace lifelong learning, and trust that faith, perseverance, and shared wisdom can light the way forward. May we continue to lift one another up and walk together in peace . “Animpa ilbashsha” (translates to peaceful heart – combining food (Animpa) with ilbashsha (heart), peaceful or content heart.
