August 2014 Luncheon

LCWN Guest Speaker: Mickie Holland,  Clinical Director, Humphrey House,

                                            Guidance Center of Lea County, Inc.,

Adversity was her topic of discussion. Her main message was,  "Even though we experience troubles in life, we have the strength to move forward and face the new challenges that await us."

Mrs. Holland is a Native of Texas, moved to Lovington when she was 15 years old and was raised in a family with alcohol & mental illness.   She married young without finishing school and started her family.  When she did decide to get her GED, she took the test without studying and passed.

She owned a dance studio in Lovington and in 1984 a gunman came into her business and held her and a young man hostage for nine hours.  During this time she had time to evaluate her life.  Enduring the unimaginable during those nine hours, she eventually wound up in hospital. When she returned home, walked into her house, she knew that this wasn’t her home anymore.  Things had changed, her life had changed.

During the next year she was afraid to do anything, she couldn’t drive or go outside her home.  Her family suffered greatly and when her perpetrator was sent to prison, she then had to figure out what’s next for her and her family..

She decided to go back to school, took small steps to regain her life again and started driving again.  Once she started college she knew she wanted to help others.  She received her undergraduate and started working with the State of New Mexico and then the Guidance Center of Lea County.  She believes that  her life has come full circle and reminds us that "adversity can become our strength."

In Network News, Scholarship Chair Joyce Hatley reported that LCWN gave thirteen scholarships to women of Lea County to NMJC & USW.   Rhonda Tyler has offered to take on the position of Secretary for the remainder of the year.

The Lea County Women’s Network is dedicated to a professional, education, and personal support network for the women of Lea County.  LCWN is a non-profit 510(c)3 that provides a Student Mentor Program for high school girls in Lea County and a Scholarship Program for female students attending either NMJC or USW.  Anyone interested in donating or being a part of this organization can contact LCWN website at www.lcwn.net or Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LCWNNM