MEET THE WOMEN
Image Credit: Selina Lopez
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Selina's storyWhen she was just 18-years-old and a first-year student at Texas Christian University, Selina Lopez found out she was pregnant. Her boyfriend Benny Ortiz was still just a senior at South Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Nine months later, on April 7, 2012, Jonathan Jay "JJ" Ortiz was born.
Still, Selina found a way to make it through college with a child. She's a fashion merchandising major graduating in May 2015 and is a member of Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority. She also has a part-time job on-campus and maintains a high GPA for her full-ride scholarship. She receives a lot of help from her mother and mother-in-law and Benny works 40 hours over the weekend to help provide for JJ during the week. Having it all for Selina is making sure JJ is well taken care of while achieving her goals. |
PAULA'S STORYAfter a divorce in 2001, Paula Houston was left to provide for herself and her three kids. She has a daughter and two sons. Recently, Paula was laid off work and became a full-time stay-at-home mother. Paula says she prefers having time to do whatever she likes with her day. Because she loves constant change and new adventures, Paula is working on starting a truck driving business.
Happiness for Paula is respect and family. But she does not feel she can have it all because she wants to learn, grow and do new things. |
brianne's storyTwo times a week, Brianne McKenzie works a nursing shift at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She said that if she and her husband wanted to, she would be a full-time stay-at-home mother, but claimed that nursing is the perfect "mom job." Her husband is a minister and helps out with their two daughters a lot. Brianne's mother and mother-in-law also help with the kids.
Having it all for Brianne is having healthy kids and being happy with what she has. |
joanna's storyAfter battling cancer as a child, Joanna Birchfield realized she would never be able to have kids of her own. However, she claimed she never wanted to be a mom and was satisfied with just being a wife. Still, Joanna and her husband take in children as short-term foster parents for families experiencing difficulty. Joanna said she gets a rewarding feeling without the long-term responsibility. She enjoys her free time working out and playing the clarinet.
Having it all for Joanna is fulfilling her heart's non-material passions. |
catherine's storyRecently divorced and mothering a newborn, Catherine Nolan works full-time at Chili's Grill and Bar in Arlington, Texas. She hosts, serves and sometimes manages the restaurant in order to provide for her daughter, Rory. When Catherine is on the job, her mother takes care of Rory. Even at a young age, Catherine has refocused her social life in order to be around her daughter as often as possible.
Having it all for Catherine is having her daughter Rory. |