Ashley’s Journey to Becoming a Doctor

Ashley, like many girls, struggled with her self esteem. She wasn’t comfortable with who she was and couldn’t figure out what she wanted to pursue in life. Girls Inc. gave her an opportunity to develop her confidence and nurture her dreams.

She grew up at Girls Inc of Dothan in Alabama. She attended from kindergarten through middle school and volunteered throughout high school. They were some of the best years of her life. Ashley credits the staff at Girls Inc. with helping her to mature into the young woman she is today. One of the reasons she had the courage to believe she could attend college and obtain admission to medical school was because they instilled in her the fact that she could do anything she set her mind to. The staff of Girls Inc. were and still are her mentors.

The resilience she built at Girls Inc. was important to her when she was not accepted into medical school the first time. She was taught not to give up and keep pushing, she never entertained the idea of not becoming a doctor.

Ashley is now in her first year of medical school at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile, AL. Her goal is to specialize in family medicine. She still tells people how she met some of her closest friends at Girls Inc. and how they still have a strong bond. Having them as part of her support group throughout college and now medical school has been essential.

Sometimes you need a group of friends that will be there for you to lean on and encourage you. I honestly wish that more girls could experience programs like Girls Inc. just because of the major impact the program has had on me.”

Are you a Girls Inc. alumna? Share how Girls Inc. impacted your life and shaped who you are today on the Alumnae Group Facebook page or via email. Tell us about your latest accomplishments and how you are inspiring other girls.