AMERICA | A 27-year-old woman from Tennessee named Juliana Lamar has proven that motherhood is not a barrier to success. Despite the challenges of pregnancy and caring for her infant son, she graduated from Belmont University College of Law and was sworn in as a lawyer.
Juliana discovered she was pregnant halfway through law school. The news filled her with uncertainty as she worried about keeping up with classes, the possibility of giving birth during exams, and the challenge of balancing motherhood with her studies.
However, she was determined to push through. “Law school is a journey on its own for anyone, whether they’re a parent or not. Law school is probably one of the hardest things that anyone can do,” she said.
She attended classes while dealing with morning sickness and the physical demands of pregnancy. .
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In October 2018, she gave birth to her son, Beckham, via cesarean section. Just a week later, she was back in class, struggling to keep up due to the school’s strict attendance policies.
“The pressure I felt was horrible, and I hope it has led my law school to rethink its policies for future mothers. I understand having a child during law school is often a choice – however, as young female professionals, there is not a perfect time for us to have children,” Juliana said.
Throughout her journey in Law school, Judge Richard Dinkins played a significant role as a mentor. She recalled how, at nine months pregnant, she hosted an event as the president of her school’s Black Law Students Association, where Judge Dinkins spoke on the importance of voting.
Juliana stated that his words of encouragement reminded her of her potential, even with a baby on the way. She added that she will forever remain grateful for his mentorship and guidance.
And the time finally came for her to be sworn in as a licenced lawyer at the Tennessee Supreme Court in Nashville, Judge Dinkins insisted that Beckham be included.
“Just as we were about to begin, he grabbed Beckham and said, ‘He needs to be part of this. He’s going to do the swearing-in with me. Beckham sat there with his little hand raised—it was such an amazing experience,” Juliana recounted.
Reflecting on her success, Juliana credited her husband’s unwavering support throughout her studies and her son for being a source of motivation. She encouraged other young mothers to believe in themselves.
“I hope my story inspires women to know that they can achieve their dreams, even with a tough attendance policy or self-doubt. If I can do it, anyone can,” she said.
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