Wonder
Law Graduate, 41, Shares Powerful Message Celebrating All Women
Never give up on your goals.
Amber Goodwin will officially graduate on June 6th from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. This milestone will mark a two-decade journey after she got rejected by her schools of choice. Goodwin has earned a master’s degree, carved out a career on Capitol Hill, and has founded the Community Justice Action Fund, a gun violence prevention program focused on communities of color, before deciding again to give law school another try in her late 30s.
Amber Goodwin can’t wait to be a lawyer, change the law and seek justice.
“Almost 20years to the day after getting rejected from almost 20 law schools, I am done with law school. I am Amber Goodwin M.S, J.D. I will walk across the stage in 24 days to graduate. Despite and in spite of it all, I persisted.” Goodwin wrote on Twitter, expressing her moment of celebration while encouraging other women to pursue their dreams no matter their age.
Being a graduate on June 6 will mark a two-decade journey after getting rejected by her schools of choice.
Almost 20 years to the day after getting rejected from almost 20 law schools, I am done with law school. I am Amber Goodwin M.S, J.D. I will walk across the stage in 24 days to graduate. Despite and in spite of it all, I persisted. pic.twitter.com/V95Gv5c7yS
— Amber Goodwin (@amberkgoodwin) May 13, 2021
Despite these outstanding achievements, Goodwin, in another tweet that has in particular sparked comments, claimed she had never been married, had no children, and insisted that society refuses to celebrate people like her most days. She added: “It’s been a very rough year, but this is a bright spot for many of us. It was all worth it.” As expected, people weighed in and, without hesitation, shared messages of inspiration.
Goodwin rejoices in this victory but has also pointed out the perils of today’s society.
Sorry not sorry in advance for all the law graduation photos y’all are about to get. I’m 41, never been married, have no kids, and most days society refuses to celebrate people like me. It’s been a very rough year but this is a bright spot for many of us. It was all worth it. pic.twitter.com/yXPGs8f4Gk
— Amber Goodwin (@amberkgoodwin) May 16, 2021
One user wrote: “I am 59, not married, and got my second master’s at 50. You earned the right to post every freaking picture in existence, girl! Congratulations! Stand up and be proud until hell freezes over!” Another added: “Achievement makes me teary, and the look on your face is just the thing to get my chin quivering. I went back to school at 47, and it was not easy to find time to study as a bonafide adult. Good for you and all the best.”
People have since found Goodwin’s story relatable and decided to share theirs.
However, Goodwin hopes her post will inspire as many as possible while also claiming there isn’t any way to live the life you have, and life should be lived and celebrated. In an interview with Good Morning America, Goodwin stressed that women, mainly Black women, are not celebrated while doing their things. She stated: “We’re celebrated maybe when we’ve made it and are winning big cases as an attorney or doing things like getting married or having kids.”
Before her late 30s, Goodwin earned a master’s degree, carved out a career on Capitol Hill, and founded the Community Justice Action Fund.
“And a lot of times, things like graduating from law school aren’t just seen as a win for someone 41-years-old. This gave me a sense that people were standing right next to me as I was getting great news and times when I was maybe not feeling as sure of myself.” A big congratulations, Goodwin, and thanks for being an inspiration for the many people regularly pulled down with harsh remarks!
She’s now encouraging other women to pursue their dreams no matter their age.
