Phenomenal Women at Caroline Center

I grew up with two sisters and no brothers; my house was always full of my sisters and our friends. So I know what it’s like to have a lot of girls around. But I’ve never been anywhere quite like the Caroline Center.

In one of my speech classes yesterday, a woman named Tonia presented her self-introductory speech. As a way of introducing herself, she read a portion of a poem by Maya Angelou:

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

The poem was appropriate because Tonia IS a phenomenal woman. And she’s not the only one. Some women come to the Caroline Center during the day, then work full night shifts during the night. Some have long and tiring commutes. Some have come back to restart an education after they have been told over and over again that they cannot do it.

I’ve had bad days, working at the Caroline Center. Days when nothing goes the way I planned and I mess up everything I try to do. But I’ve sensed from the beginning what a special place this is.

I am surrounded by phenomenal women.