Women have come a long way in terms of their role in society and the opportunities available to them.

In the past, women's primary role was often seen as being limited to the household and caring for children, but this has changed over time. Today, women have a wider range of options when it comes to work and careers, and many are able to pursue their dreams and ambitions, regardless of the obstacles they face.

My father was killed in a car accident when I was 11 years old, although he had held a professional job as a head accountant at Caterpillar. What we didn’t realize is that he was a gambler and owed money to many people in our small town. My mother had to go to work and eventually became a businesswoman far before her time.

She started a business repairing mannequins (store dummies) in store windows by repainting them with new bodies, faces and wigs. She transported them in a hearse she bought from a funeral home. She went on to start a new business – a doll shop and hospital. She repaired, repainted, and rewigged those. She was known far and wide as the lady with the doll hospital.

The story of my mother is a testament to the strength and resilience of women, and it serves as a reminder of what women can achieve when they are given the chance.

Despite the challenges she faced, she was able to break through societal expectations and become a successful businesswoman, paving the way for other women to do the same.

These experiences can shape and drive individuals to work hard and achieve their goals, but it's important to also prioritize self-care and find a healthy work-life balance. Raising three children from 3 months old to age 11 made self-care difficult.