THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501140090
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
WHEN HER MARRIAGE ended several years ago, Anne Austin faced a dilemma. She had a need to support herself, but realized she had no marketable skills.
An animal lover, Austin had mastered the art of grooming and had opened a shop, The Dog House, in Portsmouth 16 years ago. At 42, however, she thought it would be wise to learn another skill - one that would be less demanding physically.
Austin had dropped out of classes at Tidewater Community College shortly after her marriage at 19. She decided to return to TCC and made an appointment to talk to a counselor. It was an appointment she almost missed.
``I got my gumption up and made an appointment with a counselor, but when I got there, I almost turned around and left,'' she said. ``I was terrified when I went back. I knew I would be competing with kids who had just come out of high school. I thought I would take a summer class to get my feet wet and see if I could compete in the classroom.''
That was 2 1/2 years ago, and Austin completed her summer psychology class with flying colors. Today, she is only 14 credits from realizing her dream and plans to graduate from TCC at the end of this summer's semester. And she has taken on a new responsibility.
Remembering her reluctance to enter the academic world with students half her age, Austin recently agreed to become the college's re-entry adviser for women who return to classroom life after a long absence. Her hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays.
Earlier, Austin had become familiar with the HER Shelter in Portsmouth, a haven for battered wives and children. She discovered that she enjoyed helping others and developed her counseling skills while working as a volunteer at the shelter.
``A teacher talked to the director of the college's Women's Center and recommended me,'' Austin said. ``The college is interested in making women feel more comfortable when they return to school. I ask them what they want to be when they grow up, and that makes them laugh. I'm the first person they see and I introduce them to a counselor.''
She also offers encouragement by telling the returning students that even though they will be older in five years; with a college degree they are going to be older, but wiser, and possess something positive.
After meeting with an applicant, Austin may refer her to Financial Aid or the Career Services Department. Federal aid is available for those who qualify, and a student loan is also a possibility.
``Lots of women find that life as a single woman is not all peaches and cream,'' Austin said. ``If they break out of their cages, they can often achieve a great deal. You can compete, do a good job, and improve your life.''
Although most applicants are ``30-something,'' the mother of one child and divorced, Austin talked recently with a 73-year-old woman, who was interested in taking some classes.
``She had retired and was receiving a pension,'' Austin said. ``She was very spry . . . very bright.''
Assistance offered by the center does not exclude men, Austin said. To apply for financial aid, however, a male applicant must have custody of his children.
``I'm interested in working with people who have problems and need to find a solution,'' Austin said. ``I learned to survive, read a lot of self-help books, and attended a support group at the HER Shelter. As a co-facilitator, I learned so much and helped others with what I had learned. A woman can take care of herself to where she doesn't need the welfare system.''
A native of Portsmouth and a graduate of Churchland High School, Austin lives in Chesapeake with her three daughters. They are 19-year-old Angi, who is also a student at TCC; Autumn, 15; and Adrienne, 11.
After she receives an associate's degree, Austin plans to attend either Old Dominion or Norfolk State universities to pursue a bachelor's degree in social work. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Anne Austin advises women who are planning to return to school at
Tidewater Community College. She's the first person they see.
by CNB