Middle Age, Educated and Broke

Middle age, educated and broke is the story of many women in America, especially African-Americans, yet it is a story you don't hear much about. Embarrassed to tell others that you have a college degree and are on welfare, is what many middle age Black women are dealing with behind closed doors. Some have been underpaid their entire adult life, only to retire into a social security system that can't even help them to make ends meet, while others had to exhaust their retirement funds to help cover unplanned circumstances such as a divorce, prolonged illness, the loss of employment or caring for an elderly parent, is more of a reality than we'd like to think. In addition to racism, Black women also have to deal with the other ism's that are faced by females in general, including ageism and sexism.

"37 percent of black women over the age of 65 are in households that rely on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income. This is compared to 29 percent of white women." ~ Forbes Magazine

No matter how many degrees you have or how smart you are, life can and will happen to all of us. My plan was to work until I was 70 in higher education and then retire. I wanted to be the president of a Historically Black College. Instead, I was forced to quit a job that I loved because of politics and sexual harassment and then eventually blackballed. A divorced mother of two sons, I was middle age, educated and broke. I sent out hundreds of resumes, to eventually learning from a younger, less experienced and less education person on social media, that they had gotten the job instead of me. I have wondered how I would feed my kids, pay the house note and keep the lights on with no possibility of being hired. I've stayed up at night wondering about survival in my elder years. I have cried a lot. I've been angry. "This wasn't how my story was suppose to end!" Panic attacks, ulcers and chronic headaches became a way of life as I tried to explain to a non understanding case worker how I had fell on hardtimes. "But you have a Ph.D., just get a job," she replied. "Ma'am if you only knew how hard I've been trying."

Then one day I stop being afraid. I stop worrying about money. I stop being angry, and I gave it to God. And this is what happened next...

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;" Psalm 23:5-6

What happened next included a large dose of motivation, stepping out on faith and having the will to not give up. I stop being a statistic. I stop sending out resumes and I started to educate myself. I realized that I knew more than I'd given myself credit for and that others would never give me credit for. Using my knowledge, skills, and those expensive degrees, I eventually started my own online learning academy and began offering professional and business training for women just like myself. Instead of begging someone else to work a 9 to 5 and be overlooked and never valued for the experience I could bring to their organization, I now teach women from around the world how to have their own successful businesses.

Being middle age, educated and broke doesn't have to be the final chapter of your life. Instead, use this time to take advantage of programs in your area that will help you to understand finances. Can't find a job, create your own. No matter how old you are or what your financial situation looks like, it's never to late. And most importantly, in the mist of your storm, continue to praise Him.

Dr. Carey Yazeed is the author of Lipstick, Heels & Hustle: A Women's Guide To Entrepreneurship. To learn more about the author please visit www.drcareyyazeed.com