A Mother’s Path to Healing and Purpose
Tonesia has always believed that we are both independent and interdependent — that we each have something to offer, even as we need help along the way. This truth became even clearer as she navigated one of the most defining journeys of her life: raising her daughter, a child with specialized medical needs, and becoming a nurse inspired by that love.
“I absolutely loved being a mom,” she says. “My daughter opened my eyes. She made me more compassionate, more aware of what others need and unafraid to ask for help.”
Juggling school while caring for her daughter was a constant emotional and logistical challenge. “Even if someone you love and trust is taking care of your child, the child is always in the back of your mind,” she says. “That’s a lot of pressure on a mother. But God was always there. He’s a keeper, even when you don’t want to be kept!”
Her faith has carried her through every chapter of her life — especially after the sudden and heartbreaking loss of her daughter in 2024. “The loss was so sudden and unexpected,” she says. Though her daughter is no longer physically here, Tonesia still sees her presence in the world: in the laughter of children, the creativity of young people with disabilities, and the quiet moments of grace that show up when we least expect them.
“There’s no hierarchy in who needs help,” she says. “Whether it’s needing Cheerios from the top shelf or emotional support during grief — we all need each other. And we all have something to contribute.”
While some questioned her decision to continue nursing school after her loss, Tonesia knew her story — and her strength — qualified her. “I’m a tortoise,” she laughs. “I’ve been through hell and high water, but I keep on going.”
Her nursing journey wasn’t easy. There were days she cried on the way to class or had to pull herself out of bed through sheer willpower. Professors doubted her, classmates excluded her, and she often felt alone. But through the support of her mentors, her mother, and her unwavering faith, she persevered. “You don’t know what’s on the other side of a leap of faith,” she says. “But you take it anyway.”
She also found strength in her Rankin Scholar community and in the support of Rankin Scholar Support Specialist Breezy Barcelo. “I didn’t know how things would shake out at first,” she says. “But I found women who, even though they didn’t have my same story, understood what it meant to hurt, to fight, and to refuse to give up. They encouraged me to share my story — and helped me feel less alone.”
When an emergency struck during an unimaginable period of grief, the Rankin Foundation’s emergency resilience fund stepped in to cover unexpected costs. “That support was unusual — and it made all the difference,” she says. “They didn’t just have my best interests at heart, but our best interests at heart.”
Today, Tonesia has completed her nursing degree, built a home, and created the stability that once felt far away. And though her path has been shaped by deep pain, it’s also been defined by profound purpose.
As she puts it: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” — Psalm 23:6 (KJV)