Madam C.J. Walker was born on a plantation in Louisiana in 1867. One of six children, she was orphaned at age seven and worked in the cotton fields with her sister.
Saying life was hard is an understatement. Yet, Walker worked hard to fight her way out of poverty. An advocate for economic independence for Black women, she started a line of hair products and transformed the business into a profitable powerhouse.
Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist, Walker became active in the anti-lynching movement and supported higher education by covering student tuition fees at Tuskegee Institute.
Today, she is known as the first female self-made millionaire in the U.S. An inspiration to many, Walker’s legacy speaks to a generation wanting to advocate for positive change.
Whether you see yourself in Madam C.J. Walker’s image or grew up in a resource-scarce community, there are career pathways you can take.
We’ll explore three options.
Table of Contents
#1. Frontline Worker
Nurses, particularly, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) work on the frontlines at the grassroots level. Their strongest qualities are empathy, compassion and leadership skills.
What sets FNPs apart from registered nurses (RNs) is their passion for educating patients and dedication to building strong relationships in the community.
A family nurse practitioner focuses on health equity and clinical prevention and bridges the gap in primary health care. Most rewarding is providing care to underserved communities and advocating for positive change in their profession.
There are two collegiate nursing education study pathways to gaining your FNP degree. The traditional route involves attending classes on campus, whereas the online option gives you the flexibility to do the course remotely.
Your options vary when it comes to online doctor of FNP programs. An excellent program supports online coursework, clinical placement, and is CCNE accredited.
As with any nursing practice program, the admission requirements are stringent.
A family nurse practitioner program entails that you are a registered nurse and hold a BSN from an accredited nursing school. Most importantly, you must have at least a year’s experience as a practicing professional nurse.
To qualify from BSN to DNP, you must have 75 credits and the course takes three years to complete. Baylor University suggests enrolling in a course focused on developing nurses as holistic caregivers.
#2. Teacher
Teachers are the lifeblood of our society. They grow and mold curious minds, encouraging them to explore and question the world’s injustices.
Poet and writer Maya Angelou once said, “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
Angelou taught at Wake Forest University for several years. In 1982, she was awarded the lifetime Reynolds Professorship of American Studies at the institution.
Dr Nita Temmerman surveyed international students a few years ago. They were asked what makes a good lecturer.
The answers varied, but most agreed they wanted educators who were well organized, knowledgeable in their expertise, and good communicators.
Most importantly, students valued teachers who cared. This showed they made a genuine effort to get to know their students and created a positive learning environment.
#3. Mental Health Counselor
Individuals who are active listeners and can dole out advice without bias make excellent mental health counselors.
They are patient, open-minded, and empathetic. Community-based counselors typically favor working in neighborhoods ravaged by unemployment, substance abuse, and sometimes violence.
However, it takes a certain person to thrive in this profession. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Often we let our prejudice cloud our judgment. Mental health counselors develop a keen sense of probing for information without being insensitive or causing more distress.
Prefer working in a school environment? Many school districts employ counselors. They champion equal access to mental health services for students and offer crisis interventions.
Be the Change
“Be the change you want to see.” Those are fitting words from Gandhi. Decades later they still ring true.
Completing your final year of school can feel overwhelming when uncertain about your future path. Whether you choose to practice nursing, become a mental health counselor, or enter teaching, if your passion brought you here, you’re surrounded by supportive peers.
Maya Angelou probably thought, “How can I change the world?” She wrote in a language we could all understand and used her pen as a powerful weapon of activism.
Madam C.J. Walker was born into poverty with limited options. And yet, she created opportunities for herself and those around her.
Many have followed the same path as Angelou and Walker with the common goal of enacting change. Use your education as the spark that lit the fire.
