When I was little, my grandmother had this pink box. Inside were hats that she used to wear in the ’40s and ’50s. I loved that box of hats. Getting to try them on and dress up in her clothes and shoes was like magic. I remember posing in her bedroom mirror and wearing them in her living room while we watched old Audrey Hepburn films. When I think about who I am and my life, I reflect on wearing those hats and how each were different, but all were unique and beautiful.
I have worn many hats in my life.
Right now, I wear my single mom hat most frequently, but I also get to wear my writers’ hat, social worker hat, and political activist hat. On the weekend I get to wear my volunteer hat, and most recently I have gotten to wear my student hat. It is a privilege to wear these hats. Even on the days that I am tired or overwhelmed, I am often reminded how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to love, serve, and learn.
Mom Hat
I am a single mom to a beautiful eleven-year-old daughter. She is strong, smart, and kind. She has overcome so much in her little life and I couldn’t be more proud. My daughter is a child with Autism, but she is also a 4.0 student and aspiring vocalist. She serves alongside me when I am able to volunteer and has a beautiful heart. It is an honor to wear this hat. Sometimes I struggle and life gets difficult, but I know how blessed I am to be able to love this incredible little human.
Social Work Hat
I graduated with my Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work in 2014. Since then I have been given the opportunity to do some pretty amazing things. I have been fortunate to have met people in my life that have been willing to take a chance. They have allowed me to learn and grow in this profession. Currently, I am a school social worker by day and a human trafficking victim advocate by night. My job is challenging, but I love the hat I get to wear and the opportunity to serve and love my community.
Future Politician Hat
This year I was accepted into the EMERGE New Mexico program. This program helps to train women to run for office. Whether that is your child’s school board or a seat as a Congresswoman, this program trains you to learn to run a campaign based on your beliefs and values. I have loved meeting women across the state who share a passion for loving New Mexico. They are women working to support our communities. I have learned from women who have worked across the state to promote education reform, renewable energy, healthcare reform, and have fought on the frontlines for human rights. These women are amazing, and I am so lucky to be a part of this program. I hope that someday I can run for a seat in the House of Representatives and work to promote change in behavioral health and wellbeing across our state.
Writers Hat
I have always loved to write. When I was little, I always struggled in math classes. During high school and college, it was apparent that my math skills would not allow me to obtain a degree in physics. However, I was always attracted to writing. I took several creative writing classes and was able to work with local poets. Although I am not a poet, I did work on my writing and took advice from individuals who had the ability to ignite a thousand emotions in a single phrase. I love everything about writing from journaling and narrative therapy to storytelling and public speaking. It was such a gift to be selected to contribute to this collective. I hope that I will meet many more women that are willing to share their wisdom through words.
When my grandma passed in 2019, she left some of her hats for me. It was such a gift to have these pieces of my childhood. I often take these hats out of my grandmas’ pink box and hold them close. There is so much joy in my heart when I am scrolling through channels and see Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I pause and reflect on how grateful I am to wear the hats that I have been blessed with. I hope to keep adding to my collection of fabulous hats. So if you ever see a woman at the farmers market or writing in a journal somewhere scenic and she is wearing a fabulous hat, ask for her name, and hopefully she’ll say, “It’s Roslynn.”
