Someone recently asked me if I ever felt like a novelty item as a 21 year old student mother. I had never really thought of it that way, but it's certainly true. When it comes up in discussion that I have a daughter, the shocked looks are invariable followed by a stream of questions. This is understandable in that my situation is fairly atypical.

After the questioning ends, people tend to be impressed with what I am doing and congratulate me on my hard work. Although, I am very aware that I need to work harder than most students - and not to discredit what student parents must accomplish on a daily basis - but I don't feel that I'm doing anything extraordinary. I'm just doing what I need to do.

I transferred to Northeastern University after a year and a half at Mass Bay Community College. Over all, the college experiences at Mass Bay and Northeastern have been similar - I go to class, take notes, go home and do homework. However, at Mass Bay 100% of the student body commuted, where as a commuter at Northeastern I am in the minority. Although commuting is difficult, living on campus with a two and a half year old is out of the question, and finding off campus housing in Boston is far too expensive. Therefore, I take an hour train ride in and out of Boston on days I have classes. This means my class and work schedule are determined almost entirely by the train schedule. It also makes joining any clubs that meet while I'm off campus difficult. It's frustrating that in order to advance in society one is expected to attend college.

Yet, as a parent one is limited not only financially but also by time, which makes advancing past a community college education near impossible. Although, Northeastern still proclaims that it is a school focused on diversity, being a parent while attending school continues to be less affordable and more difficult than ever. It is my hope that by starting an organization that will petition the school for more options, such as family housing and affordable on site day care, that I may help create new opportunities for future parents who wish to attend Northeastern. The process is still in its infancy and I know it will not be an easy thing to accomplish. However, there is very little about being a 21 year old student mother that is easy. 

----------Jessica L. Lelli-Fleet

Jessica L. Lelli-Fleet:

A Mom any Child Would Be Proud of!

I was born in California but grew up in Massachusetts. I have two wonderful parents, along with an amazing family who have always and continue to support me. Growing up I was a terrible student, not for lack of intelligence but rather for a lack of motivation. My senior year of high school was the panicle of my poor performance, and just a few weeks before my graduation I was told I may not graduate. Days later I found out I was pregnant.

It had been my plan to move to Boston and attend photography school. Two of my friends and I had already signed a lease on an apartment in the city.  However, once the reality of my situation set in, this plan no longer seemed practical. So, I enrolled in a local community college, at 5 months pregnant and finished my first semester at 8 months pregnant. Gwennyth was born on January 26, 2005. I took the following semester off, as classes started a week or so before Gwen was born.

After another year at MassBay I was accepted as a transfer student at Northeastern University. I started in the Fall of 2006 as an International Affairs major and I absolutely love it. I even had the opportunity to travel to Cyprus for two weeks to study international conflict and negotiation. After I graduate I plan to peruse a career with the government or with an international organization. As a single working mother it is difficult to build up a resume with relevant extracurricular activities and study abroad opportunities. However, I have worked so hard to get to where I am today that the idea of not realizing my goals is not an option. 

  Volume 1 Issue 2: Fall, 2007  
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