By Sandra Tragesser
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Todameka Boudreaux (left)

This is part two of a three-part series on students who overcome adversity in pursuit of an education.

Todameka Boudreaux wanted to be a doctor.

She was a sophomore at Howard University in Washington, D.C., when she discovered she was pregnant. Away from home, family and friends, Todameka faced the challenge of becoming a single parent alone.

In 1994 she gave birth to her daughter Amira. In 1996 she graduated from Howard University with a bachelor of science degree in biology. She was 21 years old.

"I was scared," Todameka said. "Taking on the responsibility of raising a child is humongous. During that time, I had to really rely on my faith in Jesus, and just having Him to get me through those difficult times, leading me and guiding me in the right direction. He is where I drew my strength."

At first, Todameka stayed in Washington, D.C. She still planned to pursue her degree in medicine.

She landed a job at the DuPont Co. and moved to Delaware. She worked for 2 1-2 years doing biological research. Her main area of interest was in microbial industrial biopsychology.

The pressure of raising Amira while working to support the two of them without family support finally took its toll. Her priorities changed and her career goals altered.

"The stresses of life really got to me because I didn't have enough support around me," Todameka said. "I no longer wanted to go to medical school, so we ended up coming back home to Houston."

Today, Todameka is a single mother, a graduate student at UH-Clear Lake, the vice president-committee coordinator of the Student Government Association executive committee, a UH-Clear Lake employee in the Alumni and Community Relations Office and a member of the Student Alumni Association and the American Marketing Association. She juggles family, work and school so she can have a more fulfilling life.

Currently, Todameka is working toward her graduate degree in accounting at UH-Clear Lake. Her new goal is to become a certified public accountant.

"I have my dream I am working toward," Todameka said. "One day, I want to own my own company that will help provide affordable housing to people."

"I am impressed with Todameka's wealth of experience," said Resa Ott, director of alumni and community relations. "She is wonderful, dependable, creative and has a great sense of humor. I enjoy working with her."

As vice president-committee coordinator of the UH-Clear Lake Student Government Association executive council, Todameka helps student committee representatives, prepares reports and attends council meetings.

"When I was an undergrad and my daughter was younger, I wasn't able to join organizations," Todameka said. "I wanted to. It's important that I get the networking, the teamwork and leadership skills."

"I really admire Todameka for challenging herself," said Jeffrey Petry, president of the SGA. "I don't know how she does it, she works and she has a beautiful daughter. It's just a real pleasure to have her on the committee."

Still, Amira is Todameka's number one priority.

"It is important that Todameka be there for her daughter, she never misses parents' day at Amira's school," Ott said. "I support her completely."

At home, Amira, 7, is used to having a college mother.

"Since she was born, Amira was going to daycare, and she's in the routine of getting up every day because we've been doing it for a long time," Todameka said. "Every afternoon, when we get home, I give Amira a snack and we do her homework. Then, after she goes to bed I start working on my own. I spend as much time as I can with Amira, I never want to take away from her as far as our time together."

As Todameka prepares to leave campus to pick up her daughter from school she has some advice for other single mothers.

"Hold on to your dreams," Todameka says. "Just because you have a child doesn't mean you can't still fulfill the desires for your life."

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