When I was born, there were some complications with my birth, so the doctor told my parents not to expect too much out of me. They were young and believed what this professional said and wondered what would become of me. As I grew, my parents would go to my teachers, give them the doctor’s assessment, and I would be given a pass. That is until I got to 1st grade.
Sister Mary Gabrielle heard the assessment and looked deeply into my parent’s eyes and told them that was ridiculous. She went on to tell them that I was lazy, and she would get me back on track. My parents were too fearful of this powerful woman to fight back.
Sister Mary Gabrielle would not cut me any slack. She worked with me and on me. Like a master blacksmith, she forged my character with paddles, with strong words, and with soft encouraging words. Again and again, she shared that she did not agree with the doctor’s assessment. At the end of the year, she pulled me aside and told me that I had changed and that she was proud of me.
With that inspiration, I became a hard worker and advanced from remedial classes to advanced classes and ultimately graduated as an honor student. Eventually, I joined the Army and worked my way up to be an officer before resigning my commission to come to Spokane, WA, where I began working at Anna Ogden Hall and now the Crisis Shelter.
The troubling crisis that I have discovered, as I have worked with these ladies over the past 12 years, is that for most of them; they have heard the message that was passed onto my parents from the doctor. “Don’t expect too much from her.” They may hear this from doctors, parents, social workers, television and countless others. Ultimately, with so many voices confirming this statement in so many formats, the ladies begin to embrace this label. They don’t have Sister Mary Gabrielle pouring their lives into them; they have no one that believes in them. That is until they get to the Crisis Shelter.
While I love the fact that working with UGM we have resources given to us by the community to share with those that we serve. More important than the stuff, I strive always to be the voice of Sister Mary Gabrielle and give them hope. I tell them that I disagree with those who say you can’t. I believe that you can do more. I believe that you can accomplish your God given dreams. Later when they do, my heart races when I get to tell them, “I knew it. I am so proud of you. Do you remember what you were like when you got here? Look at yourself!”
What part are you willing to play? How difficult is it to look into hurting, insecure young lady’s eyes, and tell her that you believe in her? Who can you encourage today? You might be a voice that pushes them to excel and succeed. They are ready to rise above the negative into the positive.
Join us as we become the voice of belief for these men and women.
