Her Story
About Hellena
Hellena Horsley retired in 2022 from the Long Beach Police Department in California after a 34-year career as a civilian administrative employee. She began her tenure there as a summer youth employee and credits the experience with providing structure and shaping her professional outlook. Today, she works as a Funeral Arrangement Counselor and Notary Public, serves as a trauma-informed grief coach with Grief to Purpose, and has been a minister of the gospel and pastor since 1996. Her diverse roles reflect a dedication to supporting individuals through sensitive life events with professionalism and compassion.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Hellena
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay humble. Because once I decided, why not me. There are so many areas that I could thrive in. And with the background that I've had, Sometimes you can reach a place That you feel is a place of power. And you can forget where you came from. So, to stay humble, Is the fact that you're not letting pride Rule you, and looking down on others become a part of your character. So, being humble is being in a place where you never forget where you come from.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay motivated, and when the times are hard, Find someone to speak to. Find someone compatible that you can talk to, and you can share your feelings with. And someone that'll help motivate you, not condemn you, but to motivate you, and so that you can help come over the bridge. I believe two are better than one. You need other people. We're not meant to live in isolation, but solitude is beautiful, because it gives you time to reflect, refresh, rejuvenate, and revise.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
First of all, being a woman. Sometimes you don't have, a lot of opportunity, because a lot of it, my profession, especially as a pastor, is male-dominated. Being a Black woman sometimes is, is can be an issue, because I am Black. And, sometimes you have people within your circles that Have already a mindset about you because of the things that we have experienced in culture within the last, last few years or so. But I am not like what people have marginalized me to be. And so, I believe that even some of that race issues, along with being a woman. In fields that are mostly dominated by men. Sometimes you get the chauvinistic, Challenges that you have.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loving people. I believe in treating people the way you would want to be treated. That is in my personal and my professional life. But as far as business-wise, you have to choose you have to be wise in your business. Everyone is not going to be supportive of what you do. So you have to know where you're going. And even if you don't know where you're going. If that makes sense. If we don't know where you're going in your future, act like you know it. Everything will come to you.
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