Where has this year gone? We can’t believe that we’re in December already, can you? We’re a little behind on the FIERCE blogs and we apologize to all of our FIERCE ladies that have been waiting for their blog! We will do better in 2023, we promise!!
Leslie is up next and she was wonderful to work with and meet. This 43 year old mom is a police officer!! You never know who’s behind that badge, but it was a pleasure to meet this beautiful cop! She and Jodi also grew up in the same area of Pennsylvania!
START BY TELLING ME WHO YOU ARE? WHERE ARE YOU FROM? GIVE ME A SHORT BIO OF YOU AND YOUR LIFE.
I was born and raised in Cochranton, a small, one-stoplight town south of Erie, PA. After high school, I attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology/Pre-law. I worked as an adult probation/parole officer for several years. I got married. I became a police officer. I got divorced. I moved. I got married. I had children. I moved. I got divorced.
I currently live in Annville, PA with my three young children, Braelyn, Avery, and Laureli. I have been a police officer for nearly 17 years.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE?
The best thing about being my age is, no one asks how old I am anymore!
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
My hands down, greatest achievement has been raising my children. From having infants while working various shifts to figuring out the path of single parenthood, they have been my greatest source of joy and struggle. Watching them grow brings me great pride and heartache. They give me the opportunity to try, and sometimes fail, and try again. They are the embodiment of the best I have to give.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU HAVE CHECKED OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
I had always wanted to have three kids. There were many points in my life when I did not think it would be possible for one reason or another. Somehow they made their way to me!
WHAT TRAIT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I am determined. Now, that is not to say I do not struggle or doubt myself. I do. All the time. Sometimes, it takes me a while. Sometimes, I take the long way and make it exponentially harder than it needed to be. But I always get there.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would love to be a little extroverted. I would like to walk into a room full of people and find it exhilarating instead of exhausting. I would like meeting new people to be exciting instead of anxiety provoking.
WHEN, IN YOUR LIFE, HAVE YOU FELT MOST CONFIDENT, AND WHY?
I feel most confident when I am organized, prepared, and knowledgeable while participating in or running a high-level meeting. I never expected to be included in, let alone responsible for, a forum where far-reaching decisions are made, and my input is valued.
HAVE YOUR PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT BEING "ATTRACTIVE" MEANS CHANGED OVER TIME? WHAT DO YOU DEFINE AS ATTRACTIVE NOW?
I don’t know that my perception of what is attractive has changed as much as the level of importance I now put on it. For instance, I feel more attractive when I put effort into my hair, makeup, and clothes. However, I no longer feel being attractive is a priority as I did in the past. I am content to go about my day, sans makeup, wearing cozy clothes and a ponytail.
We had a wonderful group of ladies join us for our 2022 FIERCE Over 40 project and we're starting our 2023 project. You can see details and get info by clicking the button below. We'd love to have you join us!