When Life Gets Tough, Women Know How To Rise Above It!

Disclaimer: This post is brought to you by the makers of Pine-Sol®. I have partnered with them to spread the word about  the “When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It” campaign and sweepstakes. To enter the sweepstakes and win a variety of great prizes, visit http://www.WomenRiseAboveIt.com. All opinions and stories are my own.

When I was a senior in high school, my parents sat me down and told me some depressing news: My mother had just been laid off.

For an ordinary family just trying to make it, this was disastrous enough. But coupled with the fact that my father had been laid off a month prior, this was proving to be cataclysmic period in my family’s history.

“Should I still go to college in the fall?” I asked my parents. I had two younger sisters and if I had to postpone college to give us enough time to get back on our feet, then that’s what would have to happen.

My parents looked me dead in the eye. “Of course you’re still going to college,” they said. And that was the end of it.

While my father pounded the pavement for a new job, my mother, a registered nurse, applied for whatever jobs she could and quickly landed one, then a second, then a third job. She would sleep about three hours a day, grabbing whatever food she could in between shifts. True to their word, I started college on time and they never made me feel like the burden was too great. Education was important and my mother put her energy and her money into proving it to me and my sisters.

She is one of the toughest women I know and I’ve learned so much from her. When I lost my job in 2010, I drew on her example of resilience and set about starting my own business. When I felt overwhelmed with the task before me, I took a few deep breaths and told myself, “If my mother could work three jobs, raise three kids and still find time to smile, surely I can do whatever I put my mind to.” Everything I’ve been able to do, I credit my mother for and her sacrifices, both big and small.

I’ve joined Pine-Sol® in their efforts to recognize and celebrate the remarkable women among us, with their  incredible “When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It” campaign. As part of the campaign, Pine-Sol® awarded a $25,000 donation to Women Empowered, a nonprofit based in Los Angeles that connects, educates and supports women of all ages and backgrounds, inspiring them to give back to their communities.

From November 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014, I want to encourage women across the country  to contribute their own stories of triumph to Pine-Sol’s moving collection of stories by visiting www.WomenRiseAboveIt.com.

Enter Pine-Sol’s sweepstakes for a chance to win some amazing prizes:

• Once a week for 12 weeks, Pine-Sol will award one lucky winner small tokens of appreciation, like a bouquet of flowers and Pine-Sol® coupons
• Three first prize winners will receive complimentary house cleaning services for a year
• One grand prize winner will be awarded an all-inclusive trip to enjoy a peaceful spa experience at a deluxe hotel.

What have you risen above? Visit www.WomenRiseAboveIt.com and share your story of triumphing over adversity for your chance to win.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States & D.C. 18 years and older.  Ends 1/31/14 at 11:59 a.m. PT.  To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize descriptions, visit www.womenriseaboveit.com. Void where prohibited.