Songa Baker Beat the Odds!

At the age of 16 and a junior in high school, I became pregnant with my son. I was always looking for love. I was pregnant by a 21 year old man.  I had love and attention from my grandparents but was missing it from my parents.  This left me longing for more. My mother's pregnancy of me was unwanted.  She had conceived me by rape. The relationship with my son's father ended before he was born. It was a long hard road being a teenage parent and trying to finish high school. I cried many nights, wishing I could change it although I truly loved my son.  At 16, I lost a piece of myself. I did not know who I was or the things I desired in life because I had to take care of a child. I wish I had the guidance and nurturing to prevent this from happening but I didn't. So, I tried to make the best of it. Today, I am still asking God to help me push past the pain from it all. I am taking it day by day. I expect to be totally healed. I would like to reach out to teenagers and let them know that nobody is worth you losing a part of yourself!

At a young age, I married a man who I knew was not whom the Lord had for me. He was a functioning alcoholic. He was verbally, mentally and physically abusive. After having my fourth child, I decided I was going to plan my getaway from him and stick to the plan. I applied and was admitted to Chicago State University. I didn't have a car and couldn't drive. I was on the bus and took one child to daycare and the other came to school with me. At the end of my classes, I picked up the children, cooked meals, helped with homework and then tried to study for my own classes but often fell asleep with my head in the books. Eventually, the baby was able to attend the day care at Chicago State and that made things a little easier. As time went on, I learned how to drive and got a car.  I finished my Bachelors Degree in 2002 with a 3.9 GPA. I got away from that husband and divorced during the time I was gaining my Bachelors. After a few years, the Lord laid it on my heart to go get my Masters Degree. I completed that in 2007. I am currently working on my doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Management and will be complete really soon. To God be the Glory!

By Songa Baker