ABOUT BARBARA

BARBARA'S STORY

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I grew up the youngest in my family in rural eastern North Carolina. Life was really simple back then. My family didn’t have a whole lot, but we got by with what we had. I grew up knowing what a college education would mean for me, and my family pushed me to excel in many ways. There was always lots of support in my home and outside of it, too.  
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My college life was good: I met lots of folks from all over the world! It was my first real glimpse into life outside of Duplin County, and I loved it. Saint Augustine’s College (now University) provided me with a high-quality education as well as the other tools that I needed to succeed in life. I remain grateful for my undergrad years at “The Aug.” That is also where I was initiated into my beloved sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., which introduced me to my service life. Service is one of the founding principles of my sorority, and I have been living in it ever since.
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My service life has taken me so many places since then. I am moved when I think of all the lives I have had the opportunity to touch and make a difference in. Service is at the core of who I am and is a part of my everyday existence. Helping others without expecting anything in return is a humbling experience for me because I can’t begin to count the number of times that someone has extended a hand or a listening ear to help me along the way.