Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn White
Hi Carolyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am from Shreveport, Louisiana. Raised by my paternal grandmother who died when I was ten. From there, I was transient from relative to relative, mainly residing with my aunt whom I loved as my mother. My life was hard and I often felt alone, neglected and worthless. I became affiliated with gangs and fought a lot just to protect myself and prove that I could hold my own. However, at the age of 17, I found myself in an abusive relationship. We got married and had two beautiful kids, but I knew that I did not want my kids to be raised around domestic violence, so when my youngest was six months old I left the marriage and stayed at a shelter for a few months until I could get on my feet.
Each day it was a struggle but I always knew that I wanted more than what was around me and before me. I wanted to make an impact on the lives of others. I wanted to show my kids that no matter what struggles you face, you keep pushing for your dreams and never give up. More importantly, I wanted to prove to myself and all those who told me I would never amount to anything, that they were wrong.
With the support of my husband and a few family members, I enrolled in a community college and began the process of chasing after my dreams of becoming an attorney. At the age of 28 with three kids and a fulltime job, the first semester was sheer failure. It was overwhelming. However, I was determined to succeed. I reenrolled in school and sacrificed rest and other activities just to stay on task. I cried many nights wondering if this was for me, but I stayed the course.
I transferred to a university in 2005 and often only did the bare minimum to get by. But then, I was reminded by my little sister that there was greater in me and to never give up on myself and never let the work that I lay my hands to be mediocre. I began to set my eyes on law school and excelling in school.
I was often criticized by others and shunned by those that I thought loved me and supported me, but I never gave up or gave in. Two of my favorite poems that inspired me were “Never Quit” by Edger Guest and “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson.
Getting to where I wanted to be was not an easy task. I worked fulltime, went to school fulltime, raised four beautiful kids, volunteered at the church and my husband and I had a lawn maintenance business that we worked on weekends. But I knew I had to do what needed to be done.
Sitting at my desk one day, I heard a silent whisper its time to apply. I promised God that day that if he opened the door for me to go to law school, I would go no matter where it was. That night I had a dream I applied to 9 schools and only one accepted me.
In 2010 I got accepted to law school in Lansing, Michigan, sixteen hours away from home. My husband and I prayed and we decided that I would take the youngest kid with me and the others would remain in Shreveport with him. It was hard, but I was determined not to fail and not to allow my family to fail.
I would be remised if I didn’t say that none of this would have been possible with out my relationship with God. His guidance, strength, love and grace kept me and guided me through the process. Persistence, consistency, determination, humility and faith will get you to where you need to go.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, this has not been a smooth road. It has been rough, bumpy, swampy and sometimes droughtish. There were times when all I could do was cry. Many times I wanted to quit. I would often ask myself if it was worth it, and why was I doing all of this?
The hardest part of it all was being a mom and wife and not failing my family. How could I tell my kids to fight for their dreams, but they see me give up on mine. I had to lead by example.
I remember one day riding in the car with my family and looking out at the sky. I said “Wow, I haven’t seen a beautiful day like this in a long time.” When your days is rising up before dawn, getting kids off to school, working nine hours, running home to cook and do homework before running to school to do classes, getting home to clean, prepare for the next day and check homework, there is little time to enjoy the small things in life.
The next hardest part was overcoming the fear of failure. It had been in grained my my head that I was nothing, I would never be anything and I would never amount to anything. I was trash and no one wanted me. So trying to overcome the negative words that had beat me down most of my childhood and young adult life was crippling.
Relatives can say cruel things. That old adage that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a lie. Words hurt and they cut deeply. I never thought I was good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, strong enough. That word “enough” crimpled me and nearly took me out. That word had me in a state of paralysis for the majority of my life, because I was told and made to feel like I was never enough.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My currant professional title is Attorney, Principal and Account Privacy Officer. I sorta fell into this path during law school. I was curious about the new healthcare regulations and how they impacted peoples personal privacy. This path conflicted with everything that I had ever done.
Prior to law school I was an accountant. Funny thing about that is prior to obtaining the position as an accountant, I had never taken any accounting classes. Numbers just came easy to me.
After law school, I worked at a law firm, but went back to accounting. Then when my family and I moved to Texas, I began my career path in Compliance and Privacy. Always wanted to be good at what I do and work with a spirit of excellence, I would study, read and embed myself in the world of compliance and data privacy.
I love that people see me as a resource, a person who they can go to for help on complex issues. I enjoy the challenge of change and being able to adapt to change.
Although I love the work that I do in the Corporate world, I love more the nonprofit that I am working to build that will impact the lives of youth and young adults.
However, I am most proud that my kids get to see me pursuing my dreams and goals. I am proud of the person I have become and the journey that has gotten me here. I am proud that I did not let fear steal my future. I took back everything that the word “enough” stole from me. I am more than enough and they, my family, get to see me live out my truth, my journey and celebrate my accomplishments: Law school graduate, published author, founder of a nonprofit, a beautiful marriage and family.
What sets me apart from others is that my life is driven by God’s Word. I live and work daily by Ephesians 6: 7-9 ” “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” I don’t strive to please people, I strive to bring glory to God in all that I do. Do I faulter along the way, yes, but I keep pressing, knowing the work that He started in me He will bring to completion. I don’t flaunt my beliefs, I just live and let His light shine through me.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The Covid-19 Crisis was a very challenging time for everyone. There was so much bad information being disseminated, and it was hard t know what was real and what was fake.
The most important thing I learned was that regardless of what others do, or don’t do, I am responsible for myself and my family. My choices are for the best interest of me and my family . Other’s don’t have to agree with you and don’t have to accept what you decide to do to protect you and yours.
But the most important lesson is always be prepared and don’t take life for granted or for chance. Take the necessary actions to make sure that in times of Crisis, you are prepared and have the essentials your family needs to be safe. Lastly, don’t make decisions based off other peoples opinion. What works for one person may not work for you. Assess your situation and decide wisely.
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-white0208/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3tiCLd278o
