When Elizabeth Bradley walked across the stage at Montreat College in 2018, she wasn’t just earning a diploma – she was rewriting her family’s history. As the first in her family to graduate from college, Elizabeth’s journey to higher education was anything but conventional. It was filled with adversity, perseverance and, ultimately, the unwavering support of the ANSWER scholarship program.

Elizabeth Bradley with her mentor, Hisayo Gallo.

Elizabeth grew up in a challenging environment, moving from shelters to temporary homes as her mother battled paranoid schizophrenia and manic-depressive disorder. At just 16, she moved out on her own and soon found herself balancing motherhood, work and an uncertain future. Despite these hardships, she always envisioned a better life for herself and her children.

Her first attempt at college ended when financial and caregiving responsibilities forced her to drop out. Years later, while working full-time at a foster care agency and part-time for American Airlines, she heard about the ANSWER Scholarship from her mentor, Hisayo Gallo. With just 24 hours before the application deadline, Elizabeth made the life-changing decision to apply.

“The financial support was invaluable, but it was the mentorship and encouragement that made the biggest impact,” Elizabeth recalled. “ANSWER wasn’t just about the money – it was about the belief that I could do this.”

Through ANSWER, Elizabeth found herself surrounded by a community of women who understood her struggles and encouraged her success. Workshops helped her navigate career challenges, build professional skills and manage the delicate balance of school, work and family. She was inspired by other scholars and mentors who had overcome similar obstacles, reinforcing her determination to succeed.

Today, Elizabeth is a therapeutic foster care supervisor at Rockwell Development Center in Gastonia, where she leads a program that supports children and families navigating trauma. She continues to work part-time as a fleet service agent for American Airlines and gives back to ANSWER as a volunteer mentor, guiding other mothers on their journey toward a degree.

Her children have been equally inspired by her perseverance. Her daughter earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology from Appalachian State University and is now in a graduate program to become a teacher. Her son, after high school, moved to Texas, where he attends a trade school while working and volunteering at his church.

Elizabeth Bradley at her children’s graduations. 

Elizabeth believes that without ANSWER, her career and family’s future would have been far less certain. “I probably would have stayed at my job, hoping for a raise, instead of taking control of my own future. Now, I have the education and confidence to go anywhere in my field.”

The Vision Behind ANSWER Scholarship

Elizabeth’s journey is just one of many success stories made possible by ANSWER Scholarship, an organization founded by Susan Andersen. Inspired by the scholarship she received as a young college student, Susan made a vow to one day pay it forward.

In 2006, she awarded the first four ANSWER scholarships through Foundation For The Carolinas, which awards almost $4 million annually and manages more than 150 scholarship programs for individuals, families and companies. What started as a financial aid initiative soon evolved into a comprehensive support system for mothers returning to college.

“We’re not just funding degrees,” Susan explained. “We’re empowering women to transform their lives and their families’ futures.”

ANSWER provides resources beyond tuition, such as mentorship and professional development workshops. Through partnerships with community organizations, it offers connections to services like Beds for Kids and Dress for Success. “It takes a village to support these women,” Susan said. “Many are first-generation college students, and their families may not know how to help. That’s where we come in.”

A Call to Action: Supporting ANSWER’s Mission

ANSWER scholars for the 2024-25 academic year.

ANSWER’s impact is undeniable, but the need for support continues to grow. The organization is always seeking mentors – professionals who can guide scholars through their academic and personal journeys. “Mentorship is a one-on-one partnership,” Susan emphasized. “It’s a chance to be a lifeline for a mother who is working tirelessly to change her family’s future.”

For those looking to make a difference, ANSWER offers opportunities to donate, volunteer, and become part of a network dedicated to empowering mothers through education. As Elizabeth’s story illustrates, when you invest in a mother’s education, you invest in generations to come.

To learn more about ANSWER Scholarship, visit answerscholarship.org.