Steps to success

Staff writer

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link Staff photo: Derek Major

District Judge Donna Mowrer takes questions Thursday after her speech at the Sandia Room of the ENMU Campus Union.

District Judge Donna Mowrer told those attending a Women’s History Month luncheon Thursday at Eastern New Mexico University the most important key to success is to give back.

Mowrer talked about her childhood and gave the mostly female audience three steps to becoming a successful woman.

Maria Garcia, director of International Affairs Office at ENMU, said she believed Mowrer was the perfect choice for the event.

“Judge Mowrer is very successful, on a local level,” Garcia said. “She is from the area... and we wanted someone who was familiar with the area and that people would look up to.”

In her speech, Mowrer quoted Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa and Margaret Thatcher. About 40 women of various ages attended the luncheon and, in some way, Mowrer said she hopes her advice helped them all.

“To me the most important thing is to give back,” Judge Mowrer said. “I didn’t get here on my own. I got here because others paved the way.”

Step one was to get a college degree, but the goal is to be a lifelong learner. In this step Mowrer talked about how members of her family started college but didn’t finish and how she made sure she did. She also said try to learn something new every day, even if it’s something small such as where someone you met grew up.

“I just had to think about what was important in my life,” Mowrer said. “My parents stressed education and so I knew that I had to put being a lifelong learner in my speech.”

The second step from Mowrer was money can’t buy happiness, because happiness comes from giving and sharing.

“I think we tend to focus too much on money and not enough on helping others.” said Mowrer.

The third step Mowrer referenced was to follow your dream and focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Mowrer talked about how a positive attitude can lead to positive things.

For some women the steps were a guide to follow and for others it was a way to let them know they were on the right track in life.

“Her speech let me know I am doing the right things in life and moving towards my goals the right way,” Garcia said.