The Shriver Report – Stephanie Mitchell Hughes
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Stephanie Mitchell Hughes

Stephanie Mitchell Hughes is quintessentially a servant to the community.   Born into a family of educators, Stephanie grew up listening to stories about children who were poor and often came to school hungry. These same children returned to an empty house after school and remained there alone for several hours and sometimes overnight.

These stories shaped and informed Stephanie work as an attorney and her social activism in the areas of child advocacy, domestic violence, and empowering women and girls. Stephanie has represented children who are abused, neglected and dependent, advocated on behalf of children with learning differences, worked on local, state, and national initiatives in support of victims of domestic violence, and supported other programs to empower and educate women.

In February 2006, Stephanie became a single parent, with few resources, and no support. At the time, Stephanie had a law practice devoted to representing children in the child welfare system and older women in need of assistance with managing end of life issues.  Despite all of her experience and education, Stephanie found it difficult to transition back into the traditional practice of law. In the midst of parenting, running a household, and a fledgling law practice, Stephanie disconnected from the community and allowed all of her professional contacts to grow stale. However, Stephanie also realized that her difficulties as a single working mother stood in stark contrast to the challenges experienced by other single mothers with less education, even fewer resources, and no support. Stephanie openly shares her personal story so that other single mothers will learn from her many mistakes and to encourage them on their journey.  In October 2013, Stephanie talked about her journey as a single parent at TedxColumbus 2013.

Gender Equality Is a Myth!
By Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
We need to stop buying into the myth about gender equality. It isn’t a reality yet. Today, women make up half of the U.S. workforce, but the average working woman earns only 77 percent of what the average working man makes. But unless women and men both say this is unacceptable, things will not change.  → Read More
Father's Day
How I Handle Father’s Day: A Single Mom’s Perspective
I have been parenting alone for eight years. I have also represented children in custody and post-divorce decree matters in domestic relations court. I know from both personal and professional experience that Father’s Day can evoke a range of emotions in both single mothers and their children.  → Read More
My Story
How I Started Over with 2 Children, 2 Months of Outstanding Mortgage Payments and an Empty Fridge
In February 2006 at 43 years old, I started over with two children, two months of outstanding mortgage payments, an empty refrigerator, and $120.00. The purpose of this article is not to dissect my marriage and why it failed, but to share my journey from a place of brokenness towards healing and wholeheartedness.  → Read More
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