The Strength to Rise: My Story

From Adversity to Advocacy: One Woman's Journey of Faith, Hard Work, and Unwavering Determination

My name is Tyra Graddy, and if there's one thing my life has taught me, it's this, adversity doesn't define you. Your response to it does.

I didn't grow up believing life would be easy. I knew early on that anything I wanted, I would have to work for. That belief carried me through school, through earning my associate's in general business from Macomb Community College and soon earning my bachelor's degree in supply chain management from Wayne State University. It has carried me into my professional life as a Supplier Performance Analyst at Corewell Health, where I work every day to improve processes, manage supplier relationships, and ensure patient safety.

But my greatest lessons didn't come from a classroom or a career.

They came from motherhood.

Learning to Fight Differently

When my son was diagnosed with autism, my world shifted in ways I couldn't have imagined. I was no longer just navigating life for myself, I was navigating it for him, in a world that didn't always understand him.

Raising an autistic child in a Black community came with its own set of challenges. Resources were limited. Support systems were hard to find. And too often, people didn't fully understand what autism meant, they saw behaviors, not the brilliance behind them.

There were moments when I felt alone. Moments when I wished there were more supportive resources nearby, encouragement from my peers, more representation, and more guidance that truly spoke to families like mine.

But I made a decision: I would not let what we lacked stop us from moving forward.

I became my son's advocate, his voice when he couldn't be heard, and his strongest supporter when the world didn't make space for him. I educated myself, I asked questions, attended many ABA and Behavioral therapy sessions. I pushed for what he needed, and I never gave up on him and I never will.

A Moment I'll Never Forget

All those years of hard work, patience, and faith led to one of the proudest moments of my life-watching my son graduate from high school.

There were times early on when I didn't know what the future would look like. But standing there, seeing him overcome so many obstacles, I knew every challenge had been worth it.

Today, he continues to thrive. He is growing, evolving, and finding his place in the world, and I couldn't be prouder of the young man he's becoming.

Celebrating My Daughter's Success

At the same time, I've had the joy of watching my oldest child, my only daughter, pursuing her dreams with passion and determination.

Recently, we celebrated a major milestone: she graduated from Oakland University here in Michigan, earning her bachelor's degree in film production.

Seeing her step into her purpose, confident and prepared, filled my heart in a completely different but equally powerful way. Both of my children have shown me what perseverance looks like, and they inspire me just as much as I inspire them.

Balancing Purpose and Passion

While raising my family, I've continued to grow in my career at Corewell Health. In my role, I manage supplier performance, oversee medical product recalls, and ensure compliance alongside vendors and the FDA. My work is detailed, analytical, and collaborative, and I take pride in doing it well.

Beyond my day-to-day responsibilities, I also:

Lead the Professional Development Subcommittee within our Supply Chain Culture Committee
Participate in the Recall Management Interest Group (RMIG) to stay current in my field
Recently appointed as the Lead of the Supply Chain Internship Program
Serve as a Talent Attraction Ambassador, helping bring in the next generation of talent
Contributing writer to Influential Women Magazine

Communication and collaboration are at the heart of everything I do. Whether I'm working with internal teams or external partners, I strive to bring clarity, efficiency, and continuous improvement to every situation.

And through it all, I still make time for the things I love, like baking, and spending quality time with the people who matter most.

The People Who Keep Me Going

I wouldn't be where I am today without my support system. My husband has been a constant source of strength and encouragement, and my family has always stood behind me.

They remind me, even in difficult moments, that I'm not walking this journey alone.

They are my motivation.