Doing as my Mama told me... It paid off

Being an African-American female in the field of forestry has been a challenge. However, this challenge continues to develop into a world of opportunities. My passion for investigating natural ecosystems surfaced long before my studies at the university began. As a child, my mother always taught me to respect and appreciate natural environments. She helped me navigate through school and into my career even when she faced great resistance from me. Although I was reluctant to walk the challenging paths she suggested, I am happy I did because it has surely paid off and will do so for many generations!