My name is Ashley, I’m 38 years old, and a mother of two wonderful boys. I worked previously as a firefighter/paramedic and have decided to pursue a direct entry midwife degree. I am beyond excited to make this professional change and look forward to the new experiences. I plan to open a midwifery practice after I graduate, create a few employment positions, as well as work pro bono for economically disadvantaged women. I’m most passionate about women’s health care during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and after the baby arrives. I believe all women should have access to a midwife. Midwifery is an art as old as the beginning of time and I strive to help revive it. I am compassionate, intelligent, and determined to work with the women of my community to help them experience childbirth the way they would like to experience it. I am a great candidate for a scholarship because I will be responsible for dropping everything my children and I are doing when I’m apprenticing during school once I get the call that a woman has begun labor. I will miss work that day or two, pay for childcare, travel, and purchase food. I will also have to do the same for clinicals at a hospital, and I am required in person at the campus for two weeks each semester which means also adding lodging accommodations. I must purchase my own medical equipment. All of these financial burdens are a bit daunting for a single mom currently working at a restaurant, but I see my aspirations through and accomplish my goals. It would be a blessing to get some financial help along the way.