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Meet Trailblazer Elizabeth Montgomery

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Montgomery.

Elizabeth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Soon after I graduated high school in 2005, I became homeless and lived in and out of my car for three years. I met a family online and they took me in, I got on my feet and never looked back.

Until I had to look back.

Those three years were hard, I can’t tell you all the things I did to survive. But the hardest part was years later when I actually had to deal with the trauma of being homeless and the trauma of having a mom that made me leave.

I wasn’t a bad kid, just dealt a bad hand. My mom was “tired of looking at me” and put me out.

My dream was always to become a journalist. My dad has won Emmy awards for his journalism and I wanted to work in the newsrooms he’d take me to as a child. While I was homeless, I interned at the Atlanta Voice Newspaper (my hometown) I made $25 a week and slept in my car in the parking lot some days.

I was also enrolled in college at Clayton State University, I’d go to classes then sleep in that parking lot too.

Since then, I did become a journalist!

I’ve written for publications nationwide. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sheen Magazine, The Atlanta Tribune Magazine, Henry News Daily, E! News, The Wilmington StarNews, to now the Arizona Republic.

I’ve covered race and cultural issues, feature stories, crime, courts, community news, obituaries, breaking news, concerts, events, music reviews, red carpets, and more.

I’ve interviewed Kevin Hart, Tom Jones, Shailene Woodly, Theo James, Nat Wolff, T.I., Big Boi, Babyface, LA Reid, Sarah McLachlan, Usher, Terrence J, Chadwick Boseman, Octavia Spencer… you get the picture… I’ve come a long way.

It’s crazy to me every time I think back, eating out of trash cans or picking up enough change to buy a $0.99 hamburger. Details I’ll never forget, but my share later.

After moving from Atlanta, I moved to Wilmington, North Carolina and now, I’m in Phoenix! I don’t have any family or friends here, it was just a “why not” decision.

I love it here! It’s been an adjustment because the culture is very different from what I’m used to in Atlanta, but I’ve become to accept Phoenix as it is and make the best of it. I am currently Vice President of the Arizona Association of Black Journalists.

My story continues as I’ve started this #homelesstohappy journey. Still on the road to happiness, and I hope to inspire others with my story.

Any advice for other women, particularly young women who are just starting their journey?
Never be afraid to be unstoppable!

We fear being misunderstood or judged. If we cry, we’re weak, if we show emotion, we’re “crazy.”

NO.

If you’re upset cry as much as you need to, it doesn’t mean you’re not strong, it means you are human. And it doesn’t mean you’re crazy if you feel emotions, it is ok to feel how you feel.

I think if we let go of fear we will be unstoppable, and that is scary. But that is where true happiness is.

Also, you are your first priority.

There’s a lot of hype around “self-love” right now and I think that’s a great thing. For me, loving myself has been instrumental in my journey to happiness. I grew up with a mother who didn’t show me love or give me that maternal nurturing I deserved as a child. As an adult, I’ve had to learn how to give that love to myself.

Putting yourself first is not selfish, it’s self-love. If you are unhappy, you can’t make anyone else happy. So, take care of yourself first. Even if you have kids, a husband, etc., you still have to put yourself first.

I’m not saying take your kids to a silent auction because that’s where you want to go. I’m saying you can’t give your kids the proper love they need if you are broken and empty. If you are depressed, your kids will feel it too.

We must all take proper care of ourselves more. And carve out time in our day to do so. Be it getting up an hour earlier to have time to yourself or picking up a milkshake between obligations. Treat yourself.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I work at the Arizona Republic newspaper and azcentral.com as a community relations and events producer.

What does that mean? I do a lot of things. Including producing the Arizona Storytellers show every month.

I love working in the media and hearing other peoples stories. There are so many people doing great things in the Valley. With the Storytellers shows people get on stage and share their stories in front of an audience of 200 to 900 people. You can imagine all the tiny details it takes to pull off each of these shows. We are at a different venue every month. Most recently were in the middle of an art gallery at the Phoenix Art Museum, that was fabulous.

I also put together with other events the paper hosts like documentary screenings around the state and photography workshops. I bet you didn’t know newspapers have events! Well, now you do!

Writing is my #1 passion. I’ve had a journal since I could write (still have them too). So, I also write stories for the paper when I can. Most recently, I wrote about my relationship with my mom for Mother’s Day, four brothers who started a nonprofit to bring more diversity to NASCAR and a profile on Arizona civil rights leader Lincoln Ragsdale Sr.

I also have a blog, emontwrites.com, where I get more personal and talk about my love for crystal healing and traveling. My YouTube channel also dives into topics discussed on my blog, and random things I find in the Valley.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
As a black woman, I feel we do have to work twice as hard to get anything, let alone a leadership role.

Shoot, a friend of mine ranted just yesterday about having to work twice as hard just to get a shout out on a company email.

There are several articles, blog posts, think pieces about this. It’s a real feeling we have. I think we would be successful in any leadership role, especially if our track record proves it. But we have to have the opportunity.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Elizabeth Montgomery

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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