Remarkable Story Of A 24-Year-Old Single Mom, Briana Williams Who Beat All Odds To Graduate From Harvard Law School Is Inspiring

Motherhood brought along with it for Briana Williams, the strength to carry on.

Miss Williams was working on her Family Law final in April 2017 when she started experiencing contractions. By the time the hospital staff informed her that she was in labour, she already had her laptop prepared – along with the diaper bag and car seat.

Williams said she asked for an epidural to take the edge off and she finished her paper with tears in her eyes. She said her faculty Dean suggested an extension for the assignment, but Williams was not interested in such accommodations.

She wanted to excel regardless – and she did. About two months ago, Williams graduated from Harvard Law school, holding her 1-year-old daughter, Evelyn as she accepted the honour.

The graduate said she took a position at a firm in Los Angeles and is currently studying for the bar exam; she was born in California but raised in Atlanta, Georgia.

Williams shared photos from the special day on May 25, and they went viral. The internet couldn’t help but celebrate the matching mommy-daughter caps and gowns along with her message.

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Williams’ language on social media was clear: finishing law school with a newborn was far from easy.

Williams, who’s always wanted to become a lawyer, was shocked to learn of her pregnancy, but she didn’t allow that deter her plans. She said she even kept her summer associate’s position following Evelyn’s birth.

She immediately began preparations. Williams didn’t just pack a diaper bag and buy pregnancy books, she took advantage of classes at Harvard such as Family Law. She engaged in the school’s child advocacy clinics. She went to parenting classes at her hospital and instantly sought a pediatrician and proper prenatal care.

Williams began swimming, walking and eating healthier, and she also joined several motherhood groups for emotional support.

READ ALSO: ”I lost my father and mother but I didn’t lose my dream” – Nigerian Man who Graduated as a Medical Doctor

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ8ZNOhh_PA/?taken-by=lovexbriana

But there were still days that she couldn’t bring herself to get out of bed, she wrote. Parenting courses don’t have chapters on what to do when you have to take your newborn to class.

Evelyn made regular appearances in class with her mom, or the Dean of Students would watch her while Williams finished class.

Everyone has their days,” Williams said. “Some days, I was depressed, and I let myself be because I deserved to be. You can have a day or two but the next day, get up and go.”

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Her viral graduation posts were met with plenty of positive and inspirational feedback. She said she was skeptical about sharing such a personal story on social media but glad it got the attention.

”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.

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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.”

Her Facebook post garnered more than 12,000 reactions and 3,330 shares.

“It seems like the majority of the comments were inspiring a lot of other people, in particular, single mothers,” Williams said.