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| Anitra Bailey |
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Anitra Bailey is always looking for opportunities to serve. Although she was volunteering at other places at the time, she went to find out about InStepp Inc. after hearing an ad on the radio. She started off as a mentor and worked in that capacity for a couple of years. Then she found another opportunity in sitting on the board and serving as secretary for two years now.
What drew Anitra to InStepp Inc. was the unique opportunity of such a program. There are not many programs like this for women. Other places just don’t have the passion that the people at InStepp Inc. have. Mentoring and being part of this organization have helped Anitra grow as an individual and see things from another perspective. “Life is a daily struggle and you come to thank God for the blessings that you have.”
Anitra’s first mentee was very engaged in the process. She went through the training in one year, found a job, and has been at that same company for two and a half years now. Anitra was able to support her when she needed help dealing with her boss and coping with situations at work. They spoke on a monthly basis and Anitra was able to see an actual change.
Anitra mentored another couple of women and has learned that you can’t do the work for them; you can only show them the way. A big part of the success of the program is the individual’s willingness to put in the work to become a success. Mentoring has given Anitra better communication skills, has put her in different and new situations. She has learned to be open because people have to be able to trust her.
Anitra was born in Taylorsville, NC and graduated from NC A&T State University in 1999. She now works in sales at the Phillip Morris Co. She hopes that InStepp Inc. continues to grow and that the program branches out statewide and nationally. Anitra would like to see this program cross boundaries of nationalities and communities.
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