Lynnette has always learned by doing.  After high school, she started working in factories where the pay was moderate and the hours long.  Seeking change, she got an associates degree in Secretarial Science, studying records management, data entry, and psychology. For nearly 31 years, she has worked in various student services at a state university. Due to an organizational restructure, Lynnette ended her time at the university as an Academic Coordinator. In this role, she was responsible for providing academic advising to undergraduate and graduate students. On her time in student services, Lynnette reflects, “I think it brought about variety. It pretty much kept me on my toes and I was learning and meeting new people”.

Now Lynette seeks a new challenge. When COVID-19 became a concern, several friends invited her to make masks. Lynnette learned to sew from her mother and grandmother but she hadn’t seriously sewn in decades. Despite some initial hesitation, with encouragement from her family, Lynnette started a sewing and crafting business. She says, “What is ironic is over the years, I’ve been collecting fabric. I had this giant bin full of cotton material and lo and behold, cotton material was being recommended for homemade masks by the CDC”. Now, after more than 30 years working, as she contemplates her retirement plans, she says, “I’m looking into being an entrepreneur”.