#NowNovember: Danada Beckwith

By definition, a ‘problem’ is a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome. 

My desire to be in the legal field dates back to grade school. When it came time to attend college  the out of state college I wanted to attend was not financially feasible to my grandparents. Life happened and I had to fall back on another talent. I became a Managing Cosmetologist, Instructor and Certified Hair Restoration Specialist. My career choice (fallback) turned out to be very lucrative and rewarding. Unbeknownst to me, an issue with my health was brewing. It would be many years into my career that I would find out that I had developed osteoarthritis in my right hip. I was forced to retire after 19 years in the business.

In the summer of 2012, at age 40, I made the decision to pursue my law degree, beginning the journey as a paralegal. I started that fall, with two sons, three jobs, and a bad hip. I knew having to balance being a single mother, and a full-time student would be no easy task. In the second semester, on January 24, 2013 my journey as a paralegal student was challenged and my life forever changed. I had fallen asleep studying when I was awakened by a phone call at 12:23 a.m., informing me that my brother had been shot. I packed up some homework and met my mother, sister, and his fiancée at the hospital. My brother wasn’t there. He had been a victim of a double homicide and picked up by the coroner at the scene. Devastated, I collapsed in the floor. My second thought was that I had forgotten to pray for him that night. Oh how proud he was of me that I had finally began this journey. “Lord, what am I going to do?” Four days later, I spent my 41st birthday planning my brother’s funeral; on January 30, 2013 I officiated it.

I had to pull myself together and finish school for my children with my brother as my motivation. I believe that I overcame these adverse conditions through my strong faith in God and the support of family and friends. On school breaks, I would go out of state, women’s retreats, and any place I could find a peace of mind including spending a week in Amish country which proved positive for me. I learned that grieving has its place, motherhood has its place, feelings have its place, and perseverance has to be the driving force. I cried every chance I got; I allowed myself those moments and kept it moving. I then had to focus on my health matters and the inevitable had come upon me.

On June 3, 2014 in my last semester at Sinclair, I had to have my hip replaced. As planned, my last four classes were online, and on December 13, 2014; I completed my Paralegal credit hours. There are a myriad of thoughts, and it has brought up old hurts. Graduating is bittersweet when I see how far I’ve come in my accomplishments. Looking back I honestly marvel at how I’ve proven to myself that I’m capable of staying the course and achieving a dream. I now know that I can accomplish everything that I set my mind to.

I appreciate who I am as a mother, leader, now Paralegal, and all the other hats I wear. I am an example to my children, and others that as an adult it is never too late to pursue a dream. I made the Dean’s List the majority of my tenure at Sinclair, received the Estabrook Scholarship and completed an honors course. I was hired out of my internship at a prestigious law firm. I absolutely love my job! My oldest son is now a sophomore in college and my little one is a freshman in high school. I miss my brother terribly, but I know he would be so proud of his nephews and sister. I know I am.

#NowNovember, I was successful at overcoming and rising above adversity. I transitioned from being my own boss, to a pay cut and full time student, and now on a carreer path that will lead me to my end goal…being an Attorney. I was told by my professors that the life altering changes I experienced (under an intense legal program) would have caused ‘them’ to fold and drop out. I was constantly commended by my peers and professors regarding my tenacity and perseverance. All I could say to each and every one of them was, “thank you” and “To God be the Glory!”

Danada Beckwith seeks to be an example of Christ's love in her daily life. She is the proud mother of two sons and as a family they cheer the Pittsburgh Steelers! She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree and pursuing her dream of becoming an attorney. Danada continues to speak her brother's name daily as a way to keep his legacy alive and remind her of her motivation not to quit. 






#NowNovember we are free to be Unpluckable,