When I was asked to share my story, I immediately doubted my ability to contribute. I have read so many of the inspiring stories shared here, so I thought, “I am just a 25-year-old woman who is at the beginning of my journey; how can that be inspiring?” However, while reflecting on this past year and battling my inner critic, I recalled all the times God tried to speak to me. Through my friend's encouragement, the spontaneous opportunities brought to me, the challenges, and inevitably the triumphs that preceded them were all a whisper saying, “You are meant for this.”
As the oldest of eleven grandchildren, I have always felt the pressure to lead by example and make my family proud. I watched my parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents work tirelessly to build a sustainable and substantial life all with the hopes to make it to the next day. This laid the foundation for my work ethic. The goal was to get a job, be reliable, and do my best to keep that job. However, once I got further into my adulthood, I started to dream of much more than that. I wanted to break free of the “just get by” mindset. I wanted ownership, legacy, and generational wealth. But I had no idea how to do it, so I decided to start with what I was taught, find a good job, and start a career.
My first career venture was in the animal care field. After working in food service during high school, I searched online for animal jobs near me and landed a position at a daycare and boarding facility in Perrysburg. What started as a fun job quickly evolved into a leadership role, and eventually, I became a facility manager. I dedicated myself to this field for nearly seven years, from 18 to 25. However, by the time I turned 23, I began to feel burned out, and I was itching for a change, but without a college degree to fall back on, I felt stuck.
Desperation drove me to Google searches like “How to find a new career WITHOUT a degree.” I couldn’t accept another 4 years at a job I dreaded just to go back to college and incur more debt pursuing a career. After reading article after article, I made a list of everything I loved: social media, photography, and creative pursuits. Still feeling directionless, I turned to social media, where I stumbled upon a local photographer’s work. This discovery opened my eyes to Toledo’s vibrant creative community, a world I had been unknowingly sheltered from. Inspired, I decided to explore modeling. I wanted a way to quickly integrate myself into this community, and all I had at the time was confidence. After a summer of modeling, I started to wonder what it would be like to get behind the camera.
For my 24th birthday, I gifted myself the ultimate beginner's camera, a Canon Rebel T7. This decision is what would completely change the trajectory of my life. With a camera in hand and courage in my heart, I entered spaces I never imagined. I met incredible people, including a group of determined young women who have continuously uplifted and inspired me. Through this group, I was introduced to the world of networking and aspiring professionals.
My first-ever networking event was a dinner social hosted by the Rotaract Club of Toledo. Initially skeptical about the business world, I feared it would be too stuffy, and I wouldn’t fit in. But I quickly realized the power of networking. Two months after attending my first dinner social, I became a member of Toledo Rotaract and eventually joined the board as Service Director. With this new position, I began to challenge myself to talk to strangers and create connections in the community with the motive to serve.
My involvement with Rotaract and my newfound network opened doors I never thought would be possible. One of the most transformative moments was being introduced to Women of Toledo (WOT) by my good friend and now colleague at WOT, Aileen Mendoza. She invited me to signature programs like the 2024 Women’s Business Council -WEDO Awards and the Girl’s Hub graduation. These programs moved me to tears with powerful testimonies of women and girls from all walks of life. Their stories lit a fire in me and reaffirmed my belief that this was where I was meant to be.
This past summer, I was encouraged to apply for an open position within Women of Toledo as their Administrator and Accounting Clerk. Every morning and night, with the fire in my spirit, I wrote affirmations in my journal: “I will work at Women of Toledo,” “I will advance my career.”, “I am grateful, and I am capable.” These words manifested into reality when I received a call for an interview and became one of the team members of this incredible organization. As a young woman of color, my commitment to supporting other women has always been innate. Now, I’m honored to actively empower the women of this city. This is an achievement of which my 18-year-old self would be so proud.
So, once again, as I reflect on this year, I can recognize how much I have grown and how much more growth is ahead of me. While I don’t know what the future holds, I’m confident it will be extraordinary. As I close this out, I want to encourage every young woman or person who has ever been hesitant to step into the unknown, to be scared, to be uncertain, and to do it with no direction. It will work out; you weren’t given this dream for no reason, and it's destined to happen. Take it day by day, keep your head high, and believe that no dream is too big. You are capable of amazing things. Take control, silence your doubts, and embrace the life you were meant to lead.
You are capable. You are powerful. You will persevere.
**Au'Ree is currently the Administrator/Accounting Clerk for Women of Toledo. She manages the organization's daily affairs and finances. We are grateful for her talents and wisdom in helping our team manage day-to-day operations. Thank you, Au'Ree.
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