I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker at Harvard University last week for the American Association of Mental Illness’ annual conference. The students pictured are the AAMI board of directors for the school’s chapter.(The event was not a Harvard specific event). Talking about mental illness is very important to me, and seeing these young people coming together to bring about more awareness and resources was great. They also streamed the event to other chapters across the U.S.
While the event was not a Harvard specific event, my being on that campus as a speaker is an experience that I will not soon forget. I’m was a fairly good student in high school. But attending an Ivy league school required credentials that I was not academically strong enough to meet. However, my professional education and personal, lived experiences continue to demonstrate my strengths and knowledge to contribute to society in my own purposeful way.
I appreciate the AAMI Boston Chapter for the opportunity to keynote the conference!
What a great way to end 2021! I gave the Commencement Address for The Health Institute’s Fall Graduation for their Nursing and Phlebotomy graduates. It was indeed an honor to share my experiences, provide hope, encouragement and a call to action for not only the graduates, but those who attended in support of these amazing students. I am thankful to every single person who felt I was the best fit, and the energy and love I received are feelings I will forever treasure.
Someone told me in my teens that I would make a great nurse because I enjoyed working with people, community service, and they are paid well. I always knew that was something I’d never explore. I went through a period of constant illness in my teens and early adulthood. The sight of needles often made me feel physically ill and I was often nervous at the thought of yet another doctor’s appointment. While I experienced a few doctors and nurses who were not so kind and professional, most of them were great, knew what they were doing, and put my mind and body at ease. Nursing takes a combination of knowledge. professionalism, and compassion. I love people, but I am too nervous and terrified of needles for me AND the patient to be terrified when it comes to treatment!lol
One of my biggest honors this year was to serve as the Keynote Speaker the FBI’s Annual Domestic Violence Awareness program at their national headquarters in Washington, DC. The event was hosted dually in person as well as virtually so that their international employees would have the opportunity to participate. I also had the pleasure of conducting a special workshop with their EAP employees on a separate day.
To know me is to know that law enforcement and criminal justice are extremely important to me. As I shared during both opportunities, my initial plan was to become an attorney. I also had aspirations of pursuing a career in the military-the Air Force specifically. As life would have it, I would not do either in the ways I had originally planned. However, I continue to share my time and talents in both spaces, and for that, I consider myself fortunate and blessed.
I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker at Harvard University last week for the American Association of Mental Illness’ annual conference. The students pictured are the AAMI board of directors for the school’s chapter.(The event was not a Harvard specific event). Talking about mental illness is very important to me, and seeing these young people coming together to bring about more awareness and resources was great. They also streamed the event to other chapters across the U.S. 
