March 12, 2021 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados TODAY. by Kathleen Brathwaite Being in the leadership roles of Nursing Officer and an Executive Member of the Professional Nurses Association, I reflect on my earlier years and some foundation lessons that stayed with me, such as to work hard for everything I want and to challenge and push boundaries because nothing is handed to you. As I grew older, I accepted that it is okay to be different from the crowd, but you must be strong enough to carry your own weight and the weight of the world, if you are going to challenge the system. It is a lesson that came with many tears and pain but very effective in developing the woman that I am today.