Mattie Spencer-Henry lived with a terrible secret for 38 years.  As a child, she was abused by an adult and told that if she ever told anyone, her life and her family’s lives would be in jeopardy.  In spite of the never-ending memory and terror, Mattie grew up to have 5 children and 13 grandchildren.  With guts and determination, she is taking control of her life and receiving a stipend from the Bettie Brand Fund so that she can get her long-desired nursing degree.  Mattie has been accepted into the South College Atlanta School of Nursing for 2024.

She writes, “I want to show my kids and grandkids that it doesn’t matter how old you are when you go back to school to get your degree as long as you have the motivation, desire, determination, discipline focus and passion.  All of these qualities I have.”  We know her family is proud of Mattie.