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| An 11-year abusive relationship convinced Rosie Ashley to make changes in her life for the sake of her children—and herself
However, the light at the end of the tunnel was not always so bright for Ashley as hardships seemed to follow her. Recovering from the death of her father, Ashley was left in a state of vulnerability. Young, afraid and alone Ashley married at the age of 15. Early in her marriage, she discovered her husband’s addiction to alcohol and became a victim of abuse. By the age of 21, Ashley had four children and was physically and emotionally bruised. Screaming on the inside, this mother-of-four felt trapped. Her hope for change slowly faded away. The near-death of her mother, served as a wake-up call to Ashley. “I was at the end of my rope,” Ashley said. “It was time to get my life back before it was too late.” Filing for a divorce, Ashley moved back home. “With my family and friends behind me, the world in front of me and my kids beside me I set out for the first day of my new life,” Ashley explained. Ashley enrolled her children into school and enrolled herself at Anadarko High School to earn a GED. Juggling motherhood and being a student, she found it very difficult at times. “It was so hard,” Ashley said. “Sometimes I wanted to quit school. My kids wanted me to quit too because I was studying at the same time they were studying. But this was a sacrifice that Ashley knew she had to make. “I told them so many times that it was for their own good and that—someday when they have kids—I will have a good job and be able to buy my grandkids all the neat things that I couldn’t afford for them,” Ashley said. In 1991, at the age of 27, Ashley received her GED. She went on to further her education at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in the electronics program, under the direction of Terry Wright. Here, Ashley learned basic electronic skills and principles about test equipment. Wright, aware of her past, recognized that there was something special about her. “Regardless of her tough past, Ashley refused to be disheartened,” Wright said. “Her dedication to her children is one of her biggest strengths.” According to Ashley it was Wright who made the biggest impact on her life. “Mr. Wright helped me to overcome lots of obstacles. His help made me confident enough in myself to succeed at my next level of education,” Ashley said. After completion of the program at Caddo Kiowa Tech, Ashley went another step further. She enrolled at Metro Technology Center in Avionics and FCC Certification programs. After one year, she received her FCC license. With determination and resume in hand, Ashley applied at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City for the position of electrical technician—and was hired. She has held this coveted position since 1993. “Life is a hands-on place. You have to have a hand on your world if you want to succeed. CareerTech was able to help me do that,” Ashley explained. “My CareerTech, instructors and counselors helped me though so much, at a time in my life when things were not so great. CareerTech gave me the chance to excel in the world.” According to Ashley, CareerTech offers people the chance of a lifetime. “I have a life full of dreams that have come true. With hard work I know that I can succeed. CareerTech gave me the stuff to ‘get ‘er done’,” Ashley said. Now, with five grandchildren to enjoy, Ashley has no intentions of looking back—only moving forward. “Success is a wonderful thing.” Related Links Information about the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center visit www.faa.gov Information about CareerTech student organizations visit http://www.okcareertech.org/main/students.htm
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| Story: Lisa Riley Communications and Marketing posted 5/4/2008 |
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