Janice Rodriguez

Some people are born believing they can conquer the world. Others have to fight through life’s challenges to discover just how powerful they truly are. I am one of those women.

If you had told the younger version of me that one day I would become an award-winning educator, a principal, a community leader, and a woman who inspires others, I probably would have smiled and wondered if you were talking about the right person.

Not because I didn’t have dreams, but because there were people along the way who made me question whether those dreams were possible.

I remember being told I would never amount to anything.

Well, here I am.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you should never allow someone else’s opinion of your potential to become the limitation you place on your future.

The Woman Who Taught Me to Be Strong

When I think about the person who has had the greatest influence on my life, I don’t have to think twice.

My mother.

She is my foundation, my inspiration, and one of the greatest blessings in my life.

My mother never taught me to depend on someone else to create my happiness or determine my success. She taught me to work hard, stand on my own two feet, believe in myself, and never give up.

She encouraged me to pursue my dreams, even when they seemed impossible.

She taught me that being a strong woman doesn’t mean you never struggle. It means you find the courage to keep going when you do.

I often think about the example she set for me and hope that my own children will someday look at me with even half the admiration and love I have for her.

Because of my mother, I learned that independence is powerful, kindness is essential, and family is everything.

When Life Changed Everything

At 39 years old, I became a widow.

There are moments in life that change you forever. Moments when the future you imagined suddenly disappears and you’re left trying to figure out how to move forward.

For me, that was one of those moments.

I was a mother with children who needed me, responsibilities that didn’t disappear, and a life that had to continue, even when my heart was hurting.

I didn’t have the luxury of giving up.

But here’s something I’ve learned about myself: I can be hurting and still be strong. I can be afraid and still be courageous. I can face uncertainty and still choose to move forward.

There were difficult days, overwhelming moments, and times when I questioned how I would manage everything.

But every morning brought another opportunity to try again.

I refused to let tragedy become the ending of my story.

Instead, I made it part of the reason I would continue writing a better one.

From Doubt to Determination

My journey to success wasn’t handed to me.

I worked for it.

I earned my bachelor’s degree and then my master’s degree, pushing myself to grow personally and professionally.

I built a career in education because I believed that every child deserved someone who saw their potential, especially when they struggled to see it themselves.

Perhaps that belief came from knowing what it feels like to be underestimated.

I wanted to be the person who encouraged others rather than discouraged them.

The person who opened doors rather than closed them.

The person who reminded someone that their circumstances did not determine their future.

Eventually, I became a school principal, and one of the proudest moments of my professional life came when I was selected as New Mexico’s National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

That recognition meant more to me than a title or an award.

It represented years of dedication, sacrifices, difficult decisions, and a commitment to children, families, and educators.

It was also a reminder of just how far I had come.

The girl who was once told she wouldn’t amount to anything had become a woman recognized for making a difference.

And I wasn’t finished.

Leadership Is More Than a Title

Throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of serving in educational leadership, on a school board, and as a city councilwoman.

I’ve learned that leadership isn’t glamorous every day.

Sometimes leadership means making decisions that people don’t agree with.

Sometimes it means being criticized for doing what you believe is right.

Sometimes it means carrying responsibilities that nobody else sees.

And sometimes it means rolling up your sleeves and doing whatever needs to be done.

As a principal, I even drove an after-school bus route because our students needed transportation.

Some might ask why a principal would drive a bus.

My answer is simple: Why wouldn’t I?

No title should ever make you too important to serve.

I believe the best leaders are willing to do the work, not just delegate it.

Leadership isn’t about sitting behind a desk, having the biggest office, or being the most recognized person in the room.

It’s about people.

It’s about relationships.

It’s about making sure those around you feel valued, supported, and empowered.

And it’s about remembering that success means very little if you aren’t helping someone else succeed along the way.

The People Who Believed in Me

Although I take pride in being an independent woman, I would never pretend that I accomplished everything alone.

My family has been my greatest source of strength.

I’ve also been blessed with mentors who saw something in me before I fully recognized it in myself.

One of those individuals is Mark Barela, a dear friend and mentor who believed in me when others didn’t.

He helped me develop confidence, trust my abilities, and recognize that I was capable of more than I sometimes imagined.

That is something I carry with me as a leader.

You never know how much your encouragement might change someone’s life.

Sometimes all it takes is one person saying, “I believe in you.”

And sometimes that one person changes everything.

Strong Women Have Soft Hearts, Too

One thing I want other women to understand is that being strong doesn’t mean you have to stop being compassionate, emotional, loving, or vulnerable.

I am independent.

I am determined.

I am ambitious.

I can be stubborn, outspoken, and a little crazy at times.

I love to laugh, enjoy life, spend time with my family, and make memories with the people I love.

I can walk into a room with confidence, make difficult decisions, and stand firm in my beliefs.

But I also have a heart that loves deeply.

I believe women can be powerful leaders while still embracing their femininity, kindness, and compassion.

We don’t have to choose between being successful and being loving.

We can be both.

Strength and softness are not opposites. They are two beautiful parts of being a woman.

Success Looks Different to Me Now

When I was younger, I might have measured success by accomplishments, degrees, awards, or professional recognition.

Today, I see success differently.

Success is knowing my children are proud of the woman I’ve become.

It’s making my mother proud.

It’s knowing that somewhere there is a child, a teacher, a colleague, or a community member whose life is a little better because I was part of it.

It’s building relationships that feel like family.

It’s finding happiness in the little things.

And it’s being able to look in the mirror and know that despite every challenge, every heartbreak, every mistake, and every setback, I never stopped trying to become a better version of myself.

I am proud of my accomplishments, but I am even prouder of the person I have become along the way.

To Every Woman Who Has Ever Been Underestimated

If I could leave one message with women who are struggling to believe in themselves, it would be this:

Don’t let anyone tell you what you cannot become.

Don’t allow your past to determine your future.

Don’t be afraid to start over.

Don’t apologize for being ambitious, independent, confident, or successful.

And please, don’t spend your life trying to make everyone happy.

You won’t.

Some people will celebrate you. Others will criticize you. Some will support your dreams, and others will question them.

Keep going anyway.

Surround yourself with people who see your worth, encourage your growth, and remind you of your strength.

Be willing to work hard, make mistakes, learn, forgive, and grow.

And when life knocks you down, get back up.

Maybe not immediately. Maybe not without tears. But get back up.

Because there is still so much life ahead of you.

My Story Is Still Being Written

I have experienced loss, disappointment, criticism, and moments of uncertainty.

But I’ve also experienced incredible love, opportunities, accomplishments, friendships, and blessings.

And through it all, I’ve learned that life isn’t about avoiding challenges.

It’s about what you choose to do when those challenges arrive.

I am still learning.

Still growing.

Still dreaming.

Still making mistakes.

Still finding reasons to laugh.

And still believing that some of the best chapters of my life have yet to be written.

I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I do know this:

I will continue loving my family, serving others, chasing my dreams, and refusing to let anyone determine my worth.

Because the woman I am today was built through every experience, every lesson, every heartbreak, and every victory.

And to those who once said I would never amount to anything?

Thank you for reminding me why I should never stop believing in myself.

I didn’t become successful because life was easy. I became the woman I am because I refused to let the hard times defeat me.

And I’m just getting started.