Transformation Through Chaos Transformation Through Chaos_Sneak Peak | Page 9

Dr. Cornelia Wenze
As my mother had previously taught me, I had to finish what I
started. Finally, the supervisor granted my request and wrote a let-
ter of completion. Let me add that the letter was not professionally
written nor was it placed on paper with a business letterhead.
It was one sentence handwritten on a piece of plain paper.
Needless to say my committee member was satisfied with this
unprofessional letter and signed off on the completion of my
internship so I could finally graduate.
I will admit that I was furious that my degree was put on hold
for one year until this letter of completion was received. On the
contrary, I was ecstatic when I completed all of the graduation
requirements for graduate school and acquired my master’s degree
in 1990.
Upon graduation with my graduate degree, I returned to Miami,
Florida again and moved in with my mother and twin brothers. My
mother continued to work as an educator. My twin brothers were in
college and continued working as well. I began my first professional
job post college completion.
Now I was able to return the favor and help my mother and
twin brothers. My twin brothers graduated from college. They
acquired professional jobs and remained home until they got mar-
ried and moved out. This left my mother and me in the home. We
both continued to work and help each other. In 1996, I discovered
that I was pregnant with my son.
Now, let’s discuss my pregnancy a little. At the time I conceived
my son, I was not married. Oh yes, the taboo of being pregnant and
not married. I was 32 years old with a career when I got pregnant.
Let me say that I loved my grandmother, Ira Brown, dearly.
However, I remember her chastising me as if I had done something
wrong when I got pregnant. I also had an aunt, Portia Dowdy, say
to me that I must tell people that I am married for the sake of my
image. I willingly dismissed her advice.
Now, I was not 14 with no education or a job when I became
pregnant. Let me state for the record that I am not putting down
teenage mothers. I know teenage mothers who have graduated and
are successful.
I could not fathom why it was such a big deal that I was preg-
nant out of wedlock. It was an exciting moment in my life when I
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