My story begins in high school when I needed money to buy clothes, shoes and other items for school.  A family of seven with only one breadwinner, my father, a blue-collar worker on a Navy base couldn’t afford the things I needed.  The Base [Patuxent River Naval Air Test Center] was where everyone worked unless you were a waterman.  So I started working in my junior/senior year – going to school in the morning and working each afternoon at Pax River.  Students were only allowed in this program if there was a financial hardship or their grades were good. [I had good grades] But I also knew I wanted to go to college not only to make decent money but also to venture outside of my hometown boundaries.

My first job was small stuff – answering the phones, making copies, filing, etc. because that work was expected of females.  One day when I wasn’t busy answering the phone; my boss suggested I come work in the lab and help the technicians. So, I started in the lab: re-organizing their inventory of parts by stock numbers, reading schematics and soldering.  This was more exciting than sitting at a desk, answering the phones, taking messages and filing.  Thus, began my path to becoming an engineer.

I don’t remember the specific individual that introduced the Pax-Tenn Cooperative Education Program to me, but I thought it was right for me – I needed funds to attend college and a guaranteed job upon I graduation. I had applied to the University of Maryland with hopes of receiving financial aid but had not received any confirmation about acceptance or aid. 

I’ve had a few firsts - the first female and Black woman accepted in the Pax-Tenn Program; however, the second [only by 2 months] to graduate from Tennessee State University with a BSEE; the first in my family to receive a college degree; first Black woman Branch Head at the Navy Facility -Webster Field.  Since graduation a few years ago, I’ve managed several large programs in excess of $5 million dollars, met many enjoyable people and have traveled throughout the United States.   I am blessed because of my degree and by God’s good graces.