Motherhood vs Career Pursuits: Professional Women Share Their Stories

By
We may earn a commission from links on this page.

BlackEnterprise.com talked with professional women from across the country— from a single working mother to a woman who’s delaying motherhood to focus on her career — to talk family planning choices. Each gives candid insight into their decisions, how their lives were changed and how they’re pursuing their career goals and advancement.

TRIUMPHANT TEEN MOTHER TURNED WIFE & ENTREPRENEUR

Summer Alexander, 33, CEO and Market Research Consultant, Summer Alexander Research

LIFE-CHANGING GROWING PAINS: When I found out I was pregnant at 17, I was completely shocked, terrified and extremely disappointed with myself. I thought I had ruined my life.

Advertisement

MOTHERHOOD CHALLENGES: My first daughter was born prematurely (1lb, 12 oz) and was hospitalized for the first  six months of her life in a hospital that was located two hours from my home. This meant I had to drop out of school my senior year. While my peers were planning for prom and graduation, I was praying next to an incubator that was housing my tiny daughter. Once she was released from the hospital she required 24-hour monitoring which meant initially that I was unable to return to school. Eventually I obtained my GED and graduated from college, but those first couple of years were filled with struggle. I later had another daughter, got married and had a son with my current husband.

Advertisement

Read More: http://www.blackenterprise.com/career/mothers-day-career-women-share-stories-of-motherhood/

Advertisement

BlackEnterprise.com is the premier business news and investment resource online for African American business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs