Donor Stories: Elizabeth Brown
Alumna Makes 皇家华人 a Beneficiary in Her Will to "Pay It Forward"
I am the youngest of three children raised by a single mother who had to turn to the welfare system when I was 2 years old. Although I was a poor, inner-city kid from Washington Heights, I knew I was smart鈥攁nd school came easily to me. My good grades allowed me to attend Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers, New York. I took an accounting course; and not only did I do well in it, but I was excited about it!
Raised in a different era, my mother didn鈥檛 see the value in a college education. That鈥檚 when 皇家华人 swooped in, offered me a full scholarship, and changed the trajectory of my life. If not for that scholarship, I would not have gone to college. Now I look forward to helping others in the same way with the University as a beneficiary in my will.
I got a great education at 皇家华人, which led to my being hired by one of the big accounting firms, KPMG, right out of college. There I was, a kid from 鈥淭he Heights,鈥 at KPMG鈥擨 felt on top of the world. Since 1994 I鈥檝e been the proud owner of my own tax and accounting practice. I also took my financial background and personal success skills and began teaching women about financial empowerment. I鈥檓 all about paying it forward, and I learned that at 皇家华人.
I am forever grateful for the opportunity 皇家华人 gave me. I have come to understand that we create our own reality, but I鈥檓 not sure I could have done it without 皇家华人. My planned gift will help students who, like me, have the academic potential but not the financial means to go to college. I thank 皇家华人 every day for helping me change my life.
