Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Wright.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in the West Texas city of Lubbock. Growing up there taught me the value of family, heritage, outstanding academics, always making time to say hello and of course the most beautiful sunsets in Texas. My parents did everything possible to give me a well-rounded education and every opportunity. I then attended a small liberal arts school, McMurry University, for my undergrad in Psychology. This brought me to a Master’s Program at the University of North Texas and the DFW area (east Dallas to be exact) which has become home for the last twenty years. While working on my Master’s in Counseling Education, I began working for Dallas ISD as a Special Education teacher in far East Dallas. Once I completed grad school, I changed fields in education and became an elementary school counselor.
My career as a school counselor led me to Lakewood Elementary where I had the pleasure of teaching and counseling students for thirteen years. School counseling was challenging and emotionally draining at times, but also very rewarding. I became close to dedicated educators and families. I really enjoyed being a part of the emotional and character development of our students. I still live in the same neighborhood as my school and love seeing old students and parents and hearing about their lives.
My career in school counseling eventually helped me meet my future husband, Ben, who was the uncle of a family at my school. Our marriage, and two young children soon after, led me to shift my career goals to stay home with our children and help part-time with my husband’s veterinary practice, Lakewood Vet Center. It definitely isn’t where I ever expected my career to go but having a family business that helps our community has given me a huge sense of pride and empowerment. I help out with odds and ends on the business side of our vet clinic and have been self-educating about running our marketing and social media. I really enjoy this part of my role! I also have flexibility to do all the mom things with our kids and volunteer as President of Pre-Geneva Association, which is priceless.
Pre-Geneva is near and dear to my heart because when I left my school counseling position it meant our kids would attend a different school that was historically underpopulated and somewhat struggling. We were committed to getting involved and seeing how we could support our soon-to-be school, Geneva Heights. My husband and I both grew up attending public school and feel strongly that public school makes both a great education and valuable like lessons possible for our kids At roughly the same time, several other neighbors with young kids were also interested in building support for our neighborhood and Geneva Heights. Thus Pre-Geneva (Pre-G) was created. Wendy Hatchell, our first President spearheaded this movement. I took over the lead in 2018. A core group of us have met many times around kitchen tables to hammer out all the goals and details for Pre-G. We have now been going for just over three years as a non-profit parent organization.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the idea of following a passion and doing all you can to do your job well is so important starting out. My career path in education wasn’t one that made millions but I was secure financially and felt like I had a purpose. I was single and supported myself for many years before I met my husband and quickly knew he was the one. During my single years, I wanted to find love and have a family but couldn’t wait around for it. I made the most of being successful in my career and investing time in my friends and family. I’m also thankful for the time I had to travel and have hobbies – before my two little ones arrived and somehow now seem to take every extra minute of the day. So now, I’m still working back to a level of balance, but I think that is the rallying cry of most moms.
Personally, the hardest experience I have had was when our first child was born premature and in NICU. He was very small at birth and needed help with oxygen and a feeding tube. Spending a month in the hospital was emotionally the hardest thing I have ever done but I was also so grateful knowing our baby was going to eventually go home with us. So many people live through that heartache and then don’t get to bring their baby home. We had so much help during this scary time from my parents and my in-laws and close friends, it was amazing. I will always be grateful for the nurses and doctors who helped us – especially the NICU nurse I wasn’t even working with, who let me fall apart in her arms one day when I was at my limit. This start to our parenting journey definitely made me appreciate every day with my kids and probably helped nudge us to the decision for me to leave my job after I returned to work for a semester.
Over the last year, my husband and I both lost close friends to cancer. This is not something I imagined happening in my forties and definitely caused heartbreak and a sense of helplessness. It’s never easy to see a loved one slip away, especially when they are young. It stays with the survivors for the rest of their lives. It has been possible to bear by leaning into prayer and the overwhelming friend crew that supported each other.
Starting our non-profit, Pre-Geneva has involved a lot of work from our whole team. It’s been well worth it but at moments it has felt like we were spinning our wheels. Last year, there was a discussion of our school being closed and merged into a nearby school. That felt very defeating to all of the work we had done to promote and support Geneva Heights. Thankfully, our DISD trustee created a committee to look at the issue and I was one of the representatives. Our committee spent many hours discussing the issues and options and eventually recommended that our school continue as an elementary school. It felt like a great confirmation that we are headed in the right direction at Geneva Heights and the work we have all put into it has been worth it.
What should we know about Pre-Geneva Association & Lakewood Veterinary Center? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have several hats when it comes to work, but at my core, I think I am an excellent connector and problem-solver. I have invested time to build relationships both personally and professionally. I think this has helped me have both success and personal fulfillment. Now, five years out of school counseling, I still have families call or email me for advice or consultations on a school-related issue. I’m grateful that they respect my advice and I can help in some way.
I also found a surprising little niche field to continue teaching a few times a year because I taught one of those classes as a school counselor that many parents like to avoid, Human Growth and Development or ‘the sex talk’. When I was initially asked to teach a small group of kids outside of school, I was surprised, but I enjoyed having a chance to teach again (and earn some extra money), especially about such an important topic. Over the last five years, I have probably taught the class about 25 times to small groups of 5th grade students and have had a chance to update and expand the materials from what was set by the school district to cover topics I feel are just as critical as puberty, like sexual harassment/assault and social media safety. It is a great side hustle and I hope it can continue and possibly expand.
It has been a very positive career shift to become part of our family business at Lakewood Vet Center. One of our top goals is to be a true part of the community and this aspect has really flourished. We serve families that live in our neighborhood that we run into all the time – at the park, local restaurants, church, really just about anywhere we go in east Dallas we see a dog or cat mom we know. Our clinic is also able to support various local schools and causes which has meant a great deal to us.
I think my problem-solving skills and being a member of the community for so long has also helped me impact Pre-Geneva in a positive way as the President for the last year and a half. Our organization’s primary goal is to bring families together and support our school. We help organize various parent events, school tours, playdates and fundraisers. The school leadership and PTA have worked closely with Pre-G to really show our community the great things happening at our school through presentations at Pre-G meetings and events for Pre-G on campus. I’m proud that Pre-G has grown from 16 official family memberships our first year to over 140 this year. Our neighborhood has taken notice of what we are doing to build community and the growth is spilling over into the school, which has grown in enrollment by almost 25% in the last three years too. Pre-G has also been able to give back to Geneva Heights by way of fundraising with an annual cornhole tournament and our signature event, Geneva Nights. This past January was our inaugural year of Geneva Nights and we sold out with 200 attendees for a party, silent auction, and live music in one of the best venues in Dallas, the Granada. We also raised $25,000 for the school, which we have been able to use for after-school enrichment activities, curriculum and field trip costs among other things. We are gearing up for the 2nd annual Geneva Nights in February 2020 with a new Après Ski theme and a goal of raising, even more, this time around. I’m proud of the role I have been able to play for Pre-G and the impact we have made for students.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Opportunity and the chance to get in the door are huge barriers. We keep cracking away at the glass ceiling but the boy’s school connections still happen more than they should.
For many women, the juggle of parenthood (especially when kids are young) is also a challenge. Time, cost of childcare, guilt for always being pulled multiple ways, emotional and physical exhaustion all play a part. Today, many fathers (including my amazing husband!) do so much more to help in this daily juggle of kids/work/life balance but there is still a bigger expectation on women. The barrier to work then involves how to resolve the push and pull of career obligations and kids. It often doesn’t align as well as we want but we persist. This is when it is so good to have a group like Pre-G with other parents you feel connected to so that you have someone to lean on, vent to, enjoy a Mom’s Night Out or have a good laugh.
Pricing:
- Yearly Pre-G Family Membership – $25
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pregeneva.com, lakewoodvetcenter.com
- Email: lydiawright5347@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lydia6302 @pregeneva @lakewoodvetcenter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pregeneva/ https://www.facebook.com/lydia.dickson https://www.facebook.com/LakewoodVeterinaryCenter/
Image Credit:
Julie Hinojoza Photography
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