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My Grandma Mazzone was one of the most influential individuals in my life. She was the mother my mother was unable to be and through her I learned how to love unconditionally, a stern sense of right and wrong, and how to guide others on their own journeys. Grandma always had a unique way of opening my mind to other perspectives which I am very grateful for. After she passed, I had her iconic signature, "All my love, Grandma" copied from a birthday card and tattooed on my foot so she might continue to guide my footsteps.

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My father was an older dad compared to most parents of children my age. He was 34 when I was born, and I was the oldest of 2. Instead of being rigid and strict, he let us make our own mistakes and learn from them. He exposed us to diverse viewpoints and perspectives and raised us to care about all people and value all opinions. My father did not shy away from ethical conversations when I brought them to him, even at a young age and raised us to value honesty and loyalty. He taught us to stand up for what we believe in. We were also raised to see the flaws in others and not look down on them, but to respect individuals even if they have flaws or have made mistakes.

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My mother had a unique impact on my ethical development. I would not consider Lola an ethical individual prior to her overdose and resulting brain damage in January of 2002. She had her struggles: alcohol and drug addiction, untreated mental health ailments, history of physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. She was a good example for me of what I did not want to be in many ways and we need those just as much as the examples of what we do want to be. I do not wish to share great detail, but my mother helped shape me into who I am today and I am proud of who I am!

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Obtaining my black belt and the journey and discipline it takes to obtain the rank of black belt in Tae Kwon Do was very influential on the development of my ethical mindset. Rigorous training, physically and mentally, is needed to obtain a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and part of this process is ethical training in many ways. As I began this journey as a young teenager, participating in Tae Kwon Do, and Soccer, were imperative to maintaining my ethical track as a teenager and development of a part of my identity. I earned awards on this journey for student of the month & achievement and assisted with the younger children's classes.

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I was raised in a quasi-Catholic family. So religion played a role in my life, but it is not MY religion in particular that has had an impact on forming my ethical mindset but instead a study and interest in many religions and the lessons and stories there in. I enjoyed listening to the sermon at church and learning lessons that could be related to real-life, but I have honestly found that I have learned much more ethically from studying the history of religion and about other religions. I enjoyed courses focusing on the Pillars of Islam and discussions related to the horrors faced by the Jewish people during the holocaust. I enjoyed reading Of Love and Other Demons and learning how behavioral differences could be taken for rabies. Opening my mind to religious studies has truly shaped my ethical mindset in different ways by giving me unique and diverse perspectives on cultural and religious customs.

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Reading has always been a great way for me to obtain diverse perspectives and place my self in ethical situations giving my the opportunity to think through scenarios and what my own responses would be.

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When I became a mom, my own perspective shifted. I no longer had to worry only about my own choices and actions and if they were ethical, I had to worry about bringing up these three other beings with an ethical mindset fit for the world of today and for the world to come. I had to teach these little people what right and wrong is, and what the middle area between the two is when they are old enough to understand that not everything is as easy as right and wrong. I had to teach Dorian to play soccer without taking revenge on a player on the other team he thought had elbowed him. I had to teach Vinn how to live in a world with individuals who may not accept them as a nonbinary, gender fluid individual. I had to teach Keagan that there is not always someone or something to blame when things go wrong, and that's okay. I have to continue to teach my now teenagers to take responsibility for their actions.

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I have been a leader in a few ways:

1. Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts: Imparting wisdom on youth, teaching a sense of right and wrong, learning about the environment, cultural diversity, and how to become a leader in their own right.

2. Advocate at Work: I am often the person others come to at work to talk through questions and concerns. I am also an advocate for others who may not have a voice.

3. Commencement Speaker: At Cardinal Stritch, I served as the Graduate Commencement Speaker sharing the ethical story to inspire others to do the right thing even when it is hard.