Life challenges determines administrator’s path
by Alicia Berger, Reporter

   “What are you doing with your life?”
   Erma Johnson Hadley, TCC vice chancellor of administration, posed this question to a conference room of women on the NE Campus Nov. 19.
   Serving as the keynote speaker for the Women in New Roles annual Leadership Forum, Hadley questioned the audience members regarding their beliefs in themselves.
   “You are all unique, and you all have a certain special quality that once discovered will be life changing,” she said.
   In her presentation, Things I Learned Along The Way, Hadley used her own life experiences to offer encouragement and a challenge to the women who attended the forum.
   Born and reared in a poor, small town restricted by disadvantages, Hadley said she experienced first hand the important lessons about life.
   “I learned early that life wasn’t always fair,” she said.
   However, Hadley pointed out another valuable lesson her life taught her.
   “Nothing is gained by feeling sorry for yourself,” she said.
   Hadley told the group that she did not have time to feel sorry for herself if she was going to do something with her life. She started her journey to success by studying hard and keeping school a top priority.
   After graduating as valedictorian of her elementary school and high school classes, Hadley became the first African American from Leggett, Texas, to advance to college.
   Hadley said she found her new environment intimidating, but she did not let that stop her.
   “If you don’t take risks in life, you won’t be fulfilled,” she said.
   In college, Hadley said she took encouragement from her professors.
   “Someone always notices when you do good work,” she said.
   However, Hadley said working to please others was not enough for success.
   “To do less than the best of your ability is to cheat your soul and forfeit inner peace,” she said.
   After graduate school, Hadley said she joined the professional world during a time when African American females were under-appreciated by a large populace. Due to certain, unpleasant encounters, Hadley said she was forced to accept challenges brought about by opinions of others.
   “I learned that I must rise above other people’s personal feelings,” she said, “and I should not expect everyone to love me.”
   Hadley said she worked hard to prove herself an asset in the business world. She advised students to work for the things they cherish and goals they desire.
   “In order to really succeed, you must use your energy on the things that matter. No one can decide what those things are for you but you,” she said.
   Hadley’s closing remarks brought the audience to a standing ovation.
   “Love a lot and laugh a lot,” she advised. “You can have anything you want in life; you just have to work for it.”