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Single Mom Goes into Labor During Final Exam, Still Graduates from Harvard

By Sarah Carri June 4, 2018 at 5:38pm

Completing a college education takes hard work and dedication. Long hours and late nights, final exams and strict professors can really take their toll.

Many times, a student will decide the stress and sleepless nights just aren’t worth the degree. And who can blame them?

More often than not, even with a degree, college graduates will find themselves working in fields they didn’t even major in. Yes, it takes quite a bit of self-discipline and personal motivation to get through those long years of classes and theses.

Now, imagine, just for a moment, you’re attending an Ivy league school. The pressure quadruples, doesn’t it?

Wait, there’s more. Now add to your Ivy League schedule to life as a single parent — would you have what it takes to finish strong and earn your degree?

Most of us wouldn’t. But one single mom, now a Harvard graduate, is a living testimony that anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself.

I gave birth to you, you gave life to me.

A post shared by Briana Williams, J.D. (@lovexbriana) on Mar 28, 2018 at 1:59pm PDT

Meet 24-year-old Briana Williams and her daughter Evelyn. The two have quickly become Instagram sensations, with over 33K followers.

But what makes this pair so special isn’t their knack for social media. Rather, it’s the story behind their success that makes them worth a follow.

In 2017, Williams went into labor during a final exam. With an epidural to reduce her labor pains and a load of determination, this new mom worked through her exam while giving birth to baby Evelyn.

But she didn’t stop there. Over the next year, despite the struggles that came along with single-parenthood, Williams continued to attend Harvard Law School and work toward her degree.

“I refused to allow anyone to assume that my daughter could hold me back in any way when she is such a fundamental piece of my success and courage,” Williams shared. “I knew that if I persisted, I could help other similarly situated women.”

I went into labor in April- during final exam period. I immediately requested an epidural so that my contractions wouldn’t interfere with my Family Law grade. And, with tears in my eyes, I finished it. This “biting the bullet” experience is quite quintessential of my time at Harvard. To say that my last year of law school, with a newborn, and as a single mom was a challenge would be an understatement. Some days I was so mentally and emotionally fatigued that I did not leave my bed. I struggled with reliable childcare. It was not atypical to see me rushing through Wasserstein to the Dean of Students’ office with Evelyn in her carriage, asking DOS can they keep her for a few until class was over. If not, she’d just have to come with me to class. Evie attended classes often. So I’m going to be honest with you guys.. I didnt think I could do it. I did not think that, at 24 years old, as a single mom, I would be able to get through one of the most intellectually rigorous and challenging positions of my life. It was hard. It hurt. Instagram can make peoples’ lives seem seamless, but this journey has been heartwrenching. However, I am happy to say that I DID do it. Today, Evelyn in my arms, with tears streaming down my face, I accepted my Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. At first, I was the anomaly of my [marginalized] community. Then, as a single mother, I became a statistic. Next, I pray that- for the sake of my baby, I will be an example. Evelyn- they said that because of you I wouldn’t be able to do this. Just know that I did this BECAUSE OF YOU. Thank you for giving me the strength and courage to be invincible. Let’s keep beating all their odds, baby.

A post shared by Briana Williams, J.D. (@lovexbriana) on May 24, 2018 at 1:12pm PDT

Her persistence paid off. Williams graduated from Harvard Law School recently. She accepted her degree while holding 1-year-old Evelyn on her hip.

“Thank you for giving me the strength and courage to be invincible,” Williams wrote on Instagram, addressing her baby girl. “Let’s keep beating all their odds, baby.”

Inspiring words from an inspiring woman. If this single mom can achieve the impossible, who’s to stop others like her from doing the same?

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Women

Sarah Carri

Contributor, Lifestyle

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Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.

Sarah's experience as a successful working stay-at-home mom and business owner has given her the chance to write and research often. She stays up to date on the latest in entertainment and offers her views on celebrity stories based on her wide knowledge of the industry. Her success as a former preschool teacher and licensed daycare provider lend to her know-how on topics relating to parenting and childhood education.

Her thoughts on faith and family issues stem from home life and ministry work. Sarah takes time to attend workshops and classes annually that help her to improve and hone her writing craft. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature program and her writing has been acclaimed by ACFW and ECPA.

Education

Institute of Children's Literature, Art Institute of Phoenix (Advertising), University of California Irvine (Theater), Snow College (Early Childhood Education)

Location

Arizona

Languages Spoken

English

Topics of Expertise

Entertainment, Faith