Serving on the board of the Women’s Storybook Project has been a deeply personal and meaningful experience for me, both as an educator and as a mother. Having spent my entire career in Title I schools—as a teacher, behavior specialist, coach, assistant principal, and mentor—I’ve seen firsthand the vital role that family connection plays in a child’s sense of stability and success in school. The Women’s Storybook Project offers a beautiful and impactful way to preserve that connection by allowing incarcerated mothers to bond with their children through recorded readings.  
 
As a literacy educator, I’ve long believed in the transformative power of reading—not just as a tool for academic growth, but as a means of emotional connection. Many of the students I’ve served over the years have experienced separation from their parents, and I know how powerful it can be for a child to hear their mother’s voice reading them a story. That simple act can create a moment of comfort and closeness that makes a real difference.  
 
Now, as a mother myself, I feel even more connected to the mission of this organization. I understand the emotional importance of being present in a child’s life, even in small ways. That understanding fuels my commitment to ensuring that the mothers we serve have the opportunity to show up for their children—regardless of life circumstances.  
 
Serving on the board gives me the opportunity to combine my leadership experience in education with my personal values, helping to guide an organization that aligns so closely with my heart and my work.