Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Constance Williams was born in Pampa, Texas, the youngest of three. The family moved from town to town, creating difficulties in her young life. She spent a short time in a women's shelter with her mother before picking up to move to Dallas where her mother remarried.
In 2000, she graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas. She said it was in Dallas where she began to shape her world view and the culture shock of the inner city taught her the differences of others' ways of living.
In 2001 she followed her brothers, who were on scholarship, to Portales to pursue her undergraduate degree in psychology and criminal justice. She recently earned her masters degree from Western New Mexico University, Silver City.
She enjoys spending time with her three children and her husband, Jamaal Williams, of 10 years.
She is second chair of the MLK Commission and the vice chair for the Commission for Older Adults, both in Clovis. Today, she is a social worker and is a regional coordinator for the New Mexico Governor race.
When you were a kid, what did you think you'd be doing as an adult?
I wanted to study law. It was my first passion. I changed my mind because an individual told me told me I'd get swallowed up by the powers that be and that scared me. I think I still have a legal mind but I decided to do work that helps people on a more direct basis.
How would you describe yourself in one word?
Optimistic.
What's your favorite taste?
Bacon wrapped shrimp from Pappadeaux's but I normally I have to improvise and make my own.
What's your favorite smell?
Basil. I like all different types of basil.
What is your favorite quote?
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has," by Margaret Mead. As a social worker I see a lot of people get riled up about issues but so little of them will act. So this quote is my mantra.
Tell us about your greatest individual accomplishment?
Right now it's getting my masters degree. This was a major goal for me. I wanted to go for it after my undergraduate but I'm glad I waited because I've gained experience working for different agencies and such. So with my work and life experiences I actually feel like a master.
What do you do when you're not working?
I spend a lot of time caring for my kids. I do try to hang out and relax when I can. I love music. I try to introduce different music to my kids. We try to take vacations when we can and the kids are involved in sports.
What is your theme song?
"Champion" by Kanye West
Who's invited to your fantasy dinner party and why?
Maya Angelou because she was thoughtful with her words. She gave you the food for thought. Theodore Roosevelt was interesting because he was the progressive man of his time. He didn't want to allow big business to tear apart the fabric of the people. Eleanor Roosevelt because she lived before her time and she tried to help people and wasn't afraid to speak the truth. Malcolm X because he taught that men should stand up for themselves by any means necessary and Warren Buffet because I like how he handles his business. He has a lot of money but he's ethical and cares about people.
Tell us what's on your bucket list for travel?
South America and Mexico. I've only been to a part of Mexico once in my wild teenage years. My son is in the bilingual program at La Casita and traveling abroad would give him more of an understanding of the language and understanding cultures more.
What do you envision your life being like in 10 years?
Continuing to raise my kids with my husband who has been a huge support to me becoming who I am today. Also, I want and to be a part of helping shape eastern New Mexico to be more of a collective community.
- Compiled by The News Correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield