I grew up in poverty in New York City, born to a teenage mother who struggled with addiction. I also became a mom as a teenager, but I was determined to break the cycle. I raised three daughters — two living with mental health challenges. Although divorced over 15 years I have successfully raised strong, resilient, and kind women. My oldest, the daughter I had as a teen, is now a nurse. I went back to school in my 40s for my bachelor’s degree and am now finishing my MBA — proof that it’s never too late to rebuild and rise.