We were lucky to catch up with Beverly Baldwin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Beverly, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose for the work that I do through tragedy. At the tender age of 64 my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was a mere 24 years young myself. I had just entered the workforce as an elementary teacher and began working on my master’s degree full-time. At just 24 years old I became a caregiver for my dad all while balancing a new career and being a graduate student. I felt like I was on a journey all by myself. There was nobody in my circle that could relate to me at that time nor was I able to really find the resources I needed to balance my life. Caring for my dad took top priority, but I also was not in a position to quit my job as a brand-new teacher. Since I was unable to connect with the resources I needed, I created the resources I needed. I self-published two books that walks others through my journey and offered strategies that could help other people that are going through or will go through what I went through with balancing a full-time career, graduate student, and caregiver to a loved one. I became an advocate, participating in prostate cancer awareness events that included, screenings, 5K runs, and health fairs. These events gave me the opportunity to talk to men, women, and their families about the importance of early detection. I often saw how enlightened they were and knew that this was my ultimate purpose. My purpose was to engage, empower, and encourage others so that they didn’t have to figure it out on their own the way I did. I want others to know that they are not alone on their journey.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the founder and CEO of The Beverly Baldwin Agency LLC. I am an educator, author, speaker, and grief support advocate. I assist caregivers with strategies to maintain a balance between working and taking care of a terminally ill loved one through workshops and speaking engagements. In February of 2023, I published a book titled, Career and Caregiving: A Guide for Caring for a Terminally Ill Parent While Keeping Your Career and Wellness Intact. Through workshops I also offer grief support. The grief support workshops offer hands-on strategies that allow you to work through your grief in a healthy manner.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities that were most impactful for me was learning to ask for help, create memories, and find resources in support groups. It was always extremely difficult for ask others for help. I found that some people whether family or friends are willing to help. You just have to be vulnerable enough to allow yourself to ask and receive the help. I was and am still close to my family. We did tons of things together, from eating out, to sporting events, and traveling. I have learned that those times would be the memories I lean on the most to continue to cope with the loss of my dad. While maintaining a full-time job, my caregiving days seemed very lonely. It was beneficial for me to research various support groups that I could be a part of. These groups comprised of people who were caregivers themselves. This gave me the opportunity to center myself around people I could relate to. I didn’t feel alone. Once I was well in to my healing journey, I wanted to give back to those that were just entering their journey to heal. I began volunteering for different cancer organizations in my area. The more I volunteered and helped others, the better my journey became.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
In the near future I hope to collaborate with organizations and schools that have employees/staff in need of grief support due to the loss of a loved one from cancer or other terminal illnesses. I am also looking to partner with individuals that need bulk orders of my book to provide others with strategies useful to use through their caregiving journey.
You can connect with me by visiting my website at www.beverlybaldwin.com or by emailing me at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beverlybaldwin.com
- Instagram: @thebeverlybaldwinagency
- Facebook: Beverly Baldwin or Memories of a Daughter’s Last Cry
- Linkedin: Beverly Baldwin
