My Grandmothers Life Story by Ella Rakowski

Family

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 18:18:35 UTC

My grandmother grew up in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with her sister, mother, and father. She had three sets of aunts and uncles, all of whom could not have children of their own so they were very involved in her life and her sister Paula's. All of the women in my grandmother's family were strong, hardworking, and respectable women who all had jobs, which in that day and age was unusual. Though they did not have much money, they had a loving and supportive family which was all they needed. It was a wonderful upbringing full of love and support. Even though they didn't have much money, they had their family.

Growing up in the DiGeso household

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 18:28:23 UTC

My grandmothers mother and father were amazing people. Their family lived in an apartment above their beauty shop and beverage distributorship, which both of her parents ran together. Every week the relatives would come for a family dinner. She had a $2 week allowance from her mom Nan, and after school and homework, she would clean the beauty salon every night. If her work didn't meet Nan's high standards, she had to redo it. This taught her to get things right the first time, and through that, she learned the value of hard work, attention to detail, and the importance of earning money. These lessons stayed with her throughout her life.

WE ARE! Penn State

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 18:33:02 UTC

My Grandmother went to Penn State University for her undergraduate degree in human resources. Her favorite class was behavioral science. When she graduated, her Aunt Sis gave her $100 and said you don't belong in this small town, with the talent that you have, you are going to do big things. So at age 20, she bought a one-way ticket to New York City.

Wall Street

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 18:40:56 UTC

Amy's First job was on Wall Street as an operations research analyst. Before the women’s movement, opportunities for women in business and other professions were limited. Wall Street, in particular, was known for being a tough environment for women. When Amy went for an interview on Wall Street, they asked her how many words she could type, assuming she was applying for a secretarial position. My Grandmother, however, was determined not to be typecast into that role. She was always always confident in her ability to find her path.

American Express

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 18:41:54 UTC

A few jobs later and some time Amy ended up landing a job with the company American Express. At American Express, my grandmother began to truly understand how to shape her career and where to focus her energy. The company had a strong culture of mentorship, and she was fortunate to work with people who genuinely cared about her development and the quality of her work. Many of her colleagues were incredibly supportive, helping her grow both professionally and personally. These relationships continued to influence her throughout her career, long after she left American Express. She was grateful for the people who not only mentored her but also thought about the well-being and success of others, not just themselves.

New York

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 18:43:37 UTC

New York City was always my Grandmother’s place. She had never been anywhere outside of Lock Haven until she stepped into the city. It was love at first sight, she loved the fast-paced energy of New York, and it quickly became where she truly belonged.

Estee Lauder and Mary Kay

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 18:48:58 UTC

She also spent time working in cosmetics for Estée Lauder and Mary Kay, which was a true passion of hers. She loved the fashion and beauty that came with working for these companies, but what she loved most was how the products made women feel. The confidence and empowerment that came from helping women look and feel their best.

Nan

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 18:53:12 UTC

Nan was my great-grandmother and my grandmother's mom. Nan was an incredibly hardworking hairstylist and super compassionate. She would go out of her way to care for terminally ill patients, often doing their hair for free. She was the real deal—kind, generous, and dedicated to others. Amy credits Nan for shaping who she became. In her prime, Nan was truly remarkable. She always said, "If you find what you love to do, you’ll never work a day in your life," and my Grandmother lived by that motto every day.

Dallas

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 18:57:23 UTC

An opportunity came up with Mary Kay which required my Grandmother to move to Dallas, she is a die-hard New Yorker but was not an opportunity she could have passed up on. She became the CEO of Mary Kay.

My Grandmothers Love Story

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 19:05:16 UTC

Pop Pop, Paul Rakowski Sr., met my grandmother in Dallas when he was called in to assist with security issues that Mary Kay was facing. At the time, he had just retired from the Secret Service and was running his own security company. Mary Kay hired his company to handle their security concerns. During the meeting, Pop and one of his associates walked in, and after it ended, Patty—a partner Amy worked with—told her, "He likes you," referring to Pop. Amy, however, found this unprofessional and brushed it off.

The project went forward, and Pop later asked Amy, "Do you ever go back to New York? I’ll be there for my birthday. If you’re in town, give me a shout, and we can have a drink." Months later, Amy took him up on the offer and called him. They met up in New York, and the rest is history. The odds of their meeting were slim, but sometimes life has a way of surprising you.

Back to Wall Street

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 19:14:49 UTC

Amy eventually found her way back to New York and returned to Wall Street, this time working for Bankers Trust. Many people would ask her, "Why Wall Street and cosmetics?" But for her, there were surprising similarities in how both industries operated. Both required smart, fast-thinking people who could adapt quickly to changes in the market. She was drawn to companies that thrived in that environment and could pivot when needed.

At Bankers Trust, Amy encountered a mix of personalities. Initially, she found the senior management to be competent, but she also encountered people who were, as she put it, "not so kosher." She didn’t want to stay in that environment because she didn’t agree with the way some things were run.

Amerprise

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 19:17:28 UTC

My Grandmother is now on the board of Ameriprise which is a financial advisor company.

Favorite Job

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 19:21:42 UTC

Amy valued her time at American Express for the growth, the opportunities to learn, and the incredible mentors she had there. The people she worked with were a key part of her development.

She also loved working with Estée Lauder and Mary Kay, particularly because of the products, fashion, and beauty. What she truly appreciated was how these companies made women feel—empowered and confident.

Of all the leaders she worked with, the CEO of Mary Kay was her favorite. She admired their vision and the company’s commitment to uplifting women.

Best Part of Aging

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 19:22:42 UTC

My grandmother Amy says, with experience comes the ability to know how to handle situations. You learn what’s truly important and what isn’t, and you gain more wisdom over time. You’re not as intimidated by challenges because you’ve seen similar things before and know how to navigate them.

Favorite Memory

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 19:25:22 UTC

When my Grandmother met Pop Pop, she could never have imagined that it would lead to the family we’ve become. The life they built together is something so special, and it’s amazing to think how their love created the bond we share today.

Favorite Holiday

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 19:28:13 UTC

Valentine’s Day was always extra special because it was Pop Pop’s birthday. It made the day even more joyful, as people were generally in a happy mood, celebrating love and his special day.

New York Snowflake

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-15 19:29:21 UTC

My grandma and pop once made a bet about whether the New York Snowflake would stay up all year. My grandma believed it wouldn’t, while Pop was certain it would. In the end, Grandma won the bet, and ever since, the whole thing has become a funny little story with a special meaning for our family.

Letter

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-16 02:42:15 UTC

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-16 02:42:44 UTC

Favorite Music

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-17 18:27:38 UTC

My grandmother and I share a love for Frank Sinatra!

Reflection

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-17 19:01:44 UTC

Life Story Plan

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-17 19:10:51 UTC

Nan

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-17 19:34:06 UTC

🤍

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-17 19:46:45 UTC

My grandmother is the epitome of strength, grace, and resilience and I am in awe of the life she has lived. From the advice and wisdom she shares to the way she faces every challenge, she inspires me in every way. Her hard work, love, and perseverance through life are astonishing. I feel so fortunate to witness the legacy that she has built. I aspire to embody the same kindness, courage, and determination she does every day and I'm endlessly grateful for her presence in my life. To be even a fraction of the person she is would be the greatest accomplishment in my life, and she will always be a role model and inspiration for me.

Continuing Education

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-19 19:58:40 UTC

My grandmom got her MBA, with a major in Global Business, at night while working in NYC because She realized that having an MBA would give her a competitive advantage and a deeper, broader understanding of business in the global marketplace.

Philanthropy

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-19 20:00:29 UTC

Amy has been recognized in some publications for both professional accomplishments and her philanthropy; Pop and my grandmother have endowed a scholarship at Penn State for women in leadership; in honor of Nan 🤍

Alumni Fellow

rakowskiella3 — 2024-11-19 20:03:11 UTC

My grandmother was named as an Alumni Fellow by Penn State in 2000. It is the highest recognition given by the university!