Recognizing the Strength of Tradition

My grand

LaFredia Burton is the daughter of Fred and Sharon Burton of Asheville, N.C.

mother’s story has taught me so much. I know that I can be anything I want to be, and that no one and nothing can stop me.

By LaFreida Burton

May is the month we traditionally recognize women, mothers, grandmothers, and those who have been mother figures to us.

I have been influenced by so many women; it’s difficult to decide who has had the most impact on my thinking, directing me on this road called life.

 

More
often than not in our lifetime we experience someone that truly
influences us in one way or another. It may be your parent, a teacher
or just someone in the community… it can be life changing if we take
advantage of the opportunity it presents. I have always been in a
position to surround myself with those I consider to be very strong
women. Many of my friends are not as fortunate.


At the tender age of 17, I know that the 21st century will bring many
challenges for me and others of my generation. We as young people often
overlook the influence of others because we think we know it all. We
believe that people in the music industry, actors, athletes and even
our friends have all the answers to life and that we can learn from
them. We should look to the stability in our lives for guidance and to
the influence of our parents, grandparents, and ministers-those who
have done things to strengthen our community.


My courage and determination were influenced by my grandmother, Mary
Ann Jones Knox. My grandmother’s determination to make a better life
for herself and her four children has helped to instill in me that I
can do whatever I want to do in life. My grandmother’s story isn’t one
that’s uncommon in the 21st century but was considered “shameful” in
the 1950’s. She dropped out of high school her senior year after she
became pregnant.


She later married my grandfather and had three more children. And, as
with most teen marriages, it ended in divorce. Most would think, “it’s
time for the pity party.” Divorced with four children and a high school
dropout to boot! Not for her. It was back to high school with teenagers
10 years her junior, and then on to college earning a degree in
education. My grandmother was the first in the family to get a college
education.


My grandmother’s story has taught me so much. I know that I can be
anything I want to be and no one or anything can stop me. I know that I
have more opportunities afforded to me than my grandmother did at my
age. The opportunities are not just for me, but for every young person
of my generation. We just need to take advantage of the opportunities.
At my age, my grandmother could have easily thought that her life was
doomed to dead-end jobs and children.


My grandmother’s story should be an inspiration to the many young women
in our community who are single parents or are not sure what to do with
their lives. It should teach them that they can achieve whatever goals
they set for themselves.


We as young people must set goals for ourselves. We cannot depend on
others to establish goals for us. Some of us may not be financially
able to go to a four year college or technical school immediately
following high school but that should not be a factor for us to forego
our goal of someday attending an institution of higher education. Go to
work, save, and realize your dream! Dream big, set realistic goals, and
make things happen for yourself. Don’t wait on others to make it
happen.


Once you have met your goals, give back. Give back to the community;
help someone who may be facing a challenge. Who knows, you too could be
an influence on a young person one day. Wouldn’t that be great!


LaFredia Burton is a Junior at Asheville High School. She aspires to become an interior designer.