I Am a 60-year-old Black Woman from California. I Am Happily married to my forever love, Ell, of 37 years, soon to be 38 years. I Am a mother of three adult children with families of their own. I have six beautiful grandchildren and one furry dog boy, Maxie.  Ooh btw…my name isn’t Eddie. Its Tonya Edweine. Ell will call me “Eddie” from time to time as a reference to my middle name. So, there is that.

In my former life I held a career in the medical industry as a PACS, Radiology Imaging, Administrator before transitioning to Epic IT management. Epic being one of the world’s largest electronic Health Record. Before that I served in the Army as a Supply Specialist. They were all eye-opening experiences.

Speaking of experiences…in 2016 I became part of the “me too” movement. Information Technology is, or was in 2016, a male dominated field. Women had to claw their way through the “system” or glass ceiling to “make it”. In some cases that meant clawing over each other. Nothing new there, right. That is the way the ball bounces. Yet, I will share my own experiences with the ball game and its life changing impacts after I was fired.

Sixty years young. There is a lot to unpack. I now know that Everyone has their own journey. It’s like a fingerprint. No two are alike. Yet. If my ball bouncing game of life can trigger a different choice for another then goal met. That is my mission. My commitment of Service to another.

Tonya Edweine

In Love, In Light, In Service and Gratitude…I Am.