JRF Recipient Profiles
Tina Ayers, 2004, 2005, 2006
Sunshine Lady Renewal Award
Nursing, North Carolina
After an accident forced her husband to take a much lower paying job, Tina found it necessary to further her education to help provide for their seven children. She is pursuing an Associate degree in Nursing and would like to work in a postpartum unit of her local hospital. After receiving her degree Tina will be able to support her family as well as help her local community by helping to fill the nursing shortage in her area.
back to top
Janice Coiley, 2004
Athens Circle of Support Award
Education, Florida
While pursuing her degree in Elementary Education, Janice works as a day care provider and a substitute teacher. The education field will allow Janice and her young son to be on the same schedule; the year she begins teaching, her son will be entering kindergarten. Janice receives no child support, and has struggled as a single parent, but she still finds time to volunteer in her community with organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
back to top
Elaine Skinner, 2005, 2006
Sunshine Lady Renewal Award
Physical Therapy Assistant, Georgia
Elaine defines what it means to work hard for your dreams. Though a degenerative eye condition made it almost impossible for her to find steady work, Elaine was determined to find a way to provide for her family. When she found out it would be possible to go back to school and plan for a new career, she was moved to tears. Elaine says, I have chosen to master the techniques of helping people with their physical therapy needs through touch, and not merely the gift of sight."
back to top
Karen Bell, 2004
Maine Circle of Support Award
Medical Office Management, Maine
Karen was recently laid off from her job of over 18 years. Within two months, she had entered college for degrees in Medical Assisting and Medical Office Management. Karen has shown incredible determination through this challenging time. The Director of her college program says, "As a single mother, Karen has experienced financial hardships that would send others into hiding. Maine is a tough state to live in - taxes are high, incomes low, winters long. Despite her obligations, she has maintained full-time student status with a 3.39 GPA. Karen has never asked for anything; she has always earned it."
back to top
Trina Butler, 2005, 2006, 2007
Sunshine Lady Renewal Award
Education, Texas
Trina, a mother of six and grandmother of seven, is a student in Dallas, Texas. Her career goal is to become a special needs teacher for fourth through eighth grades. As a special needs student herself, Trina knows how the students feel and can provide them with the encouragement and patience they need to do well in school and life. Trina continues her education for her own children as well. Of her two youngest children, who are currently in college and high school, Trina said, "It is worthwhile to continue my education so that they know you can't give up."
back to top
Dee Fister, 2004
Dallas NAPMW Circle of Support Award
Nursing, Texas
Two years ago, Dee discovered she had breast cancer. Following the diagnosis, her husband abandoned her, taking all of the assets, canceling her health insurance, and leaving her to begin chemotherapy treatments alone. Now cancer-free, Dee is working as a phlebotomist at the same hospital where she received her treatments, and she is studying to become a nurse. She says, "I'm answering a call that's deep inside me and has been for a long time. My cancer was a nudge to get me headed in the right direction."
back to top
Donna Drake, 2004
Paralegal Studies, Illinois
As a survivor of homelessness, depression and abuse, Donna plans to use her life experiences to enhance her paralegal education. Her goal is to be an advocate for people in her community who are underserved and have limited resources. She says, "I want to bring to my community a sense of hope and show that it is never too late to go back to school and get an education."
back to top
Trisa Wallsmith, 2003
Physical Therapy, Oregon
Trisa, a single mother, was the first person in her family to graduate from college. She received her Physical Therapist Assistant degree in June of 2004. In a recent letter to JRF, Trisa writes, "Thank you all for my new found life and a better chance for my family!"
back to top
Sandi Pierce, 1991
Sociology, Minnesota
Sandi was the first member of her family to attend college. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of California in 1993. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota where she received her Master's in Sociology in 1995 and her Ph.D. in Sociology in 2001. She now works as a research scientist for a social service foundation. In an update to JRF Sandi wrote, "Your award encouraged me to dream big, to seek a difficult goal, and to actually succeed in attaining it."
back to top
Alicia Cummings, 2003
Paralegal Studies, Pennsylvania
Alicia received her Associate's degree as a Paralegal Specialist in December of 2004 from Community College of Allegheny County. She now works as a Paralegal and is continuing her education for a Bachelor's degree while supporting her two daughters.
back to top
Monique Yamashita, 2004
Social Science, Hawaii
Monique is following her "true calling" as a domestic violence legal advocate. She is passionate about helping others find their way through life's challenges and is pursuing a degree to become a more effective worker in her field. Although she is balancing a full time job, single motherhood, and the high cost of living in Hawaii, Monique remains energized by her studies. She says, "I love that I am such a positive role model for my children. We have many conversations about what they want to be when they grow up, after college, of course!"
back to top
Magda Nieves, 2003
History, Washington
Magda earned her BS in History with an emphasis on Indigenous Studies from Pacific Lutheran University in 2005. She now works as the Volunteer Coordinator/Family Program Coordinator for a history museum and is planning to return to school for a PhD in Indigenous Studies.
back to top
Tina Aultman, 2005, 2006, 2007
Sunshine Lady Renewal Award
Education, Mississippi
As a child, Tina did not have the opportunity for an education past the third grade. In 2002, as a single working mother, she began to pursue her life long dream of going back to school. She earned her GED in 2003, and one year later she enrolled in college as an elementary education major. She says, "I hope that sharing my story with people will show them that there are choices in life, and that you can achieve any goal that you set for yourself."
back to top
Cheryl Guardipee, 2005, 2006, 2007
Sunshine Lady Renewal Award
Hospitality, Montana
Cheryl was born and raised on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. She is the single mother of three and is currently raising two of her four grandsons on the reservation. While the population of the reservation is growing, there are few good paying jobs and those require higher educations. Cheryl is using her scholarship from JRF to pursue degrees in Hospitality and Human Services with the hopes of opening a catering service on the reservation, creating jobs for members of her community.
back to top