Winner Week 3: Kimberly Bearden
[ READ KIMBERLY'S WINNING ESSAY ]Kimberly Bearden, 41, is an inspirational public speaker and the co-founder of a unique and dynamic middle school for Atlanta's inner-city youth. However, despite the successes in her career, Kim's personal life was once filled with the pain and adversity of an extremely difficult marriage. And like many women, she suffered in silence. After much soul searching, Kim realized that she must change the course of her life—she owed it to herself and to her daughter. At 39, she found the courage to divorce her husband of 17 years, and her new life began. Then, she met and married a wonderful man whom she hired to teach soccer at her previous school. From the moment they laid eyes on each other sparks flew–and as a bonus her daughter adored him too! Now, in her 40’s, Kim has balance in her life and she is living out her passions every day.
Q&A WITH KIMBERLY
What's your favorite pump-yourself-up song?
"Dancing Queen" by ABBA
Which well-known person, alive or not, do you most admire? Why?
Maya Angelou. She is brilliant, beautiful woman who exemplifies strength and wisdom. I am mesmerized by the power of her words.
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Who would you go with?
I am taking my students to 6 of the 7 continents over the next 4 years, and I am so excited about experiencing the world with them. I would also love to visit Egypt with my husband and daughter. I am fascinated by the pyramids.
What is your personal mantra?
Live, love, laugh, learn, leave a legacy.
What is your most meaningful physical possession and why?
My 17-year-old daughter gave me a scrapbook that she spent weeks creating: The Story of Us. She gave it to me for Mother's Day two years ago. It has pictures, captions, and memories of our life together, and it is the most special gift I've ever received.
What do you cherish most?
Time. Time with my family, time to help my students, time to achieve my goals.... It always seems to be in short supply!
What are you most proud of?
I am the co-founder and executive director of a school for inner-city youth-The Ron Clark Academy. We are a school for students with untapped potential and a teacher training laboratory as well.
Complete this sentence: Beauty is enhanced by joy, wisdom, grace, and compassion.
What is your favorite:
Color: Red
Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate cookie dough
Musical Artist: Bon Jovi-I've loved him for 20 years.
Book/Author: The Bible.
Movie: Overboard with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Simply adorable.
Activity: Relaxing with family; jogging
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
When I'm driving alone, I love to turn up the car stereo and belt out songs by the Carpenters. (How embarrassing...)
What did you do on your 40th birthday?
My husband (who was my fiancé at the time) threw me a wonderful surprise party with family and friends.
What do you want to be doing on your 50th birthday?
I hope to spend the day counting my blessings!
What's the best mistake you ever made?
I try to learn something from all my mistakes, so they have all been valuable.
What's the smartest thing you've ever done? I hired an adorable soccer coach to work for me. He is now my husband!
What is the best thing about being in your 40's?
Life's experiences give you a clearer, more focused perspective on what is truly important.
What have you discovered about yourself now that you are in your 40's that you didn't know about yourself when you were younger?
I am stronger and more resilient than I ever thought possible.
What advice would you give to women who are about to turn 40?
Forty is a new beginning, not the end of the road.
Fill in the blank: I think everyone should go hang-gliding or skydiving at least once in their lives. It is an awesome way to experience beauty.
Are you a mentor to someone?
I strive to be a mentor to all of the students I teach. I still stay in contact with many of them years after they leave my classroom. I tell my kids that I will always be there for them, and I mean it.
What won't you do now that you would have done in your 20's?
I don't judge myself by others' standards. I am happy with the person I have become.
KIMBERLY'S WINNING ESSAY
[ BACK TO TOP ]"To the outside world, my 20s and 30s were defined by my career success, my lovely family, and the illusion that I had it all together. In reality, I endured a horrific marriage to a man who lived a double life. I put my emotions on autopilot, and I focused on raising my daughter and pouring my energy into my teaching career -- a career that garnered me national awards for creativity in the classroom. The world thought I had it all, but I was slowly dying inside. At 39, I divorced my husband and my new life began.
At 40, I learned that I could take care of myself and my 15-year-old daughter. I became confident, independent, and "free" of the emotional bondage that held me captive for so long. And then ... I met and married the love of my life. He is all that I ever wished for and more than I ever hoped for, and my daughter adores him, too.
And as for the career, I am now living my dream. I am the co-founder and a teacher at The Ron Clark Academy, an innovative, groundbreaking school for Atlanta's inner-city youth from low-wealth areas. I am also a keynote speaker for Premiere Speakers Bureau, and I speak to audiences across the country about ways to instill joy and passion in the lives of others.
To me, a beautiful woman is one who exudes wisdom, joy, peace, patience, and grace. At 41, I think I am finally there. "
