Woman of the Week – Toshia Safford

Toshia Safford

My Current Job/Company:
President and CEO/The Center for Healthy Families

My Birthdate:
08-28-70

My Work:
I serve as the President and CEO for a local non-profit that engages pregnant and parenting teens in opportunities for growth and to achieve economic and social self- sufficiency.

My Passion:
Life, my children, my family, my friends and the community that I serve.

My Family:
Morgan Boyce (Driven and Loveable son-10), Mackenzie Chaser (Colorful and Amazing Daughter – 7)

My Hero:
My mother. (Patricia A. Williams)

My Escape:
A white sand beach with clear blue water.  Being submerged in earth’s most abundant resource (water) is powerful and healing; it allows me to rejuvenate.

My Pet Peeve:
Pessimism

My Indulgence:
Shoes and New York Cheesecake

My Roots:
Humble, Hardworking and filled with laughter.

My Future:
Full of opportunity and surprises

My Love:
Listening to my children laugh.

My Movie:
Shawshank Redemption; it speaks to the power of the human spirit and integrity; maintaining your feeling of self-worth when placed in a hopeless position.

My Quote on Life:
“…two roads diverged in a yellow-wood, and I, I chose the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.” (Robert Frost)

My Accessory:
One special accessory that I rarely take off is my cross.

My Advice to Young Women:
Develop the Art of Being Yourself.  Socrates’ guiding rule was, “Know Thyself.”   It is only when we truly know ourselves that we can be open to accept others.  Dare to be different and to set your own pattern.  Develop your circle of 10; individuals that will be honest with you and help you grow and move forward.  Make sure the group is diverse.  Choose wisely.

How I Balance it All:
Taking my time, I put one foot in front of the other and exhale.    I recognize that I cannot be all things to everyone all the time.  I accept me for all of my strengths and short-comings.  My support system is great, I call them my Circle of Jewels; both men and women.  I value and cherish each individual for they are precious, rare, honest and bring a unique value to my life. I am a work in progress: constantly evolving and striving to be better than I was yesterday.