This was a great video, and showed another side of public assistance - when we help others to succeed, there is opportunity for them to repay society for that help. The 2.5 million she saved at Tinker AFB is (I assume) taxpayer money, so she has more than repaid her financial assistance. If we could figure out how to do this more often and more effectively, "welfare" would not be a negative word the way it is now for some many.
I have a very similar story as well but still on going. I worked 6$a hour job to get closer to an airline job for a foot in a door. I was homeless living out out my truck for two years while I went to school for my A&P license. My truck was 900$ and had issues break and I had to fix them as I went. The bearings, tie rods, gear box, etc... two year homeless feet cold and hungry and having to walk.. Just was alot of a toll on me. But I just graduated yesterday.. but things are getting better but everyday was and had been one thing after another
Wow! Porsha, I am so very proud of you!! I just saw this episode on television. I was your art teacher in Norman. I never knew this story about you. I would have helped if I'd known. You have done GREAT for yourself!!! -Mrs. Gibson (Dillard)
As a military and civilian pilot for 30 years, Congratulations on your hard work and success. We need great support to keep flying safely and make it home to our families. Godspeed kiddo.
I wish everybody that is going through hard time in life could have an ending like this. She is a prime example of someone giving her a chance and she proved to herself and others that sometimes all we need is a little help. She and people like her is what make this country so great.
This country needs more women like this. Not people who want to stay on assistance and not improve. This women did exactly what assistance is meant to do, carry the person to a better life through effort. This women is amazing.
Great story. My wife works to help people like Porsha. She learned her job on her own, and after a short period of time is recognized as about the best there is in Oklahoma at what she does. She's helped a whole lot of kids, and gets such a high when they succeed.
A true Patriot uses goverment assistance and living aid support groups the way it's supposed to be used. As a pilot I would love to shake that girls hand. ROCK ON!!!!
change the name of that video to "woman homeless prior to becoming aircraft mechanic"...right now it looks like she is currently a mechanic and living well. im an aircraft mechanic and avionic tech myself..now training for my commercial pilot license...you go girl..GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL
When I first got to college, my girlfriend's address was 1975 Peugeot. She was living in her car :-) By the time we broke up, she was the US Olympic team's dry land Head Coach. Now she has her masters and is a Physical Therapist. She was/is a worker!
Once Upon a time I was an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist in the Air Force. I'm sorry for the hard road you were forced to deal with at such a young age. But I am equally gladdened to hear of your success. Thank you for your service. DOD civilians don't often get the credit they so richly deserve.
SHE KNOWS WHAT RESPONSIBILITY IS - AND I ADMIRE THAT ABOUT HER- IF I WAS 20 YEARS YOUNGER ID TRY TO CONTACT HER, MY DREAM GIRL --- A ROSIE THE RIVETTER.
Porsha, You made a good choice to choose aviation as a career field. I just retired working as a flight simulator technician for one of the larger U.S. passenger airlines for many years. Last year, a simulator technician was earning over $ 100,000 per year salary and that's straight pay without overtime or profit-sharing bonuses added. You're on the path to much financial success, and that doesn't even count the free trips you will be taking using your free travel benefits. Good Luck!
Holy cow, you sound like me. When I was younger I had absolutely no usable skill sets. I also had a wife and a baby to support and the only way I could provide for them was working for an industrial bakery unloading 100 sacks of flour from a boxcar all day in the hot weather of Alabama state. I decided that that was a dead end occupation. We moved to a city in northwest Arkansas and I went to work at a hospital in the engineering department. I was a painter at first but the chief engineer saw in me that I wanted to learn new skills. I then studied for a stationary operating engineer license, took the test and got my license. Then I studied to be a high voltage electrician and got my license. Then my wife and I relocated to Seattle and I got a job as lead engineer for the third highest building in Washington state. I took many other courses and obtained many other licenses and held that position eight years until I took an early and comfortable retirement. I applaud this young woman because like me she had a vision to make more of herself. All it takes if you want to better yourself, is having a vision and tenacious personal drive as this young woman has displayed and in the end you will be rewarded handsomely!
Wonderful self motivation,and the desire to give something back is praiseworthy,well done young lady for your gritted deternination,you deserve all the success in the world.
Thank you Porsha for keeping us pilots safe. You’re an inspiration and an amazing person! And once upon a time I instructed at an Air Force base nearby you, Vance in Enid.
Pretty impressive lady with a nice personality and outlook on life in which her hardship has only made her industrious and resourceful in the best possible way and feels strongly about giving back
Maybe u can donate to a single mothers fund. I support several mothers on my 50,000 dollar post office check. Zero in my bank now. But i wish other women had more opportunity like you had. The mothers with kids and bad records are the worst to get help to. Congratulations on your success
Wonderful, she didn't act like she was entitled, she gratefully accepted what was available. I would love to have the ability to fix and maintain jet engines. Best of luck in your future
Wait to go, Porsha. Story is very uplifting. I'm myself was raised by a single mom, who put three of us through college because she went back to school as supposed to sting on welfare. I'm glad you can provide your son with a better life, because of your initiative.
Learn on something hard so the easy stuff is really easy, and you can show others how to do the hard stuff. If you work peacetime work - kaaching easy money.
God bless you sweetheart , good things come to good people , And you are a great women . You are a role model for all young people that are not afraid to work .
I love Aviation and Aerospace. To see General Aviation playing a major anchoring role in this story makes me extremely proud of the community. Some single guy with his head on straight had better jump on this opportunity to grab a good Wife before she's of the market, too.
Wow! This is such an inspiring story. Porsha stayed level headed even through her tough times and that takes a lot of resolve and self confidence. I salute this young lady. And big Thank You to the people and the agencies that gave her positive guidance along the way.
Way to go Lady! You pulled yourself out of hard situation, with a lot of help, which you always want to pay forward later, and which it sounds like you're doing. Keep learning, keep living, and keep training and helping others, when we all do, it makes for a much better world!
Good for her!! She's a great example of what you can do no matter your current circumstances in life. A great role model for young women. Happy for her!
I am very proud of this young lady. It makes me feel good to know that, there are still determined people out there who will not give up. Life is too short to settle for less than perfection...
I'm not hating on her but it's amazing how things work some people. I'm looking at 12 more years of student loan paybacks. I've paid 8 so far and I can't even have a normal life because of it.
I am nomad going around the world for various reasons. And in my experience, this is the beauty of America. Almost no other places can provide you with such a fair environment that doesn't matter where you are from, geographically or financially, as long as you are willing to put in the work, you will be rewarded. Love it. This, in my humble opinion is what made the States so great. And don't change it please. And I am not an American.
Wouldn't it be great if this case could be repeated again and again. To help a homeless person get their feet back under them and stared on a career. All the people who helped the organizations that helped the organizations that helped Porsha have made a difference in the world. Porsha, then went out and proved that many people can take a helping hand and turn it into a life. Great job Porsha. BTW you were pretty special when you were working at Sonic while you were on the street.
This is a great story. We are a rich country, opportunity like this should be available to everyone that needs a hand up. Like I said, this is a great story.
Wow! A breath of fresh air. Congratulations on your success, Porsha. I'm sure this is not the end of your career path. Godspeed and may your compass always bear north. Semper Fi.
You just listen to the old Pork Chop Express here now and take his advice on a dark and stormy night when the lightning's crashin' and the thunder's rollin' and the rain's coming down in sheets thick as lead. Just remember what old Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big old storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."
Good job young lady! I have always told my daughter that "chicks rule", females can do anything a male can and in a lot cases better! You proved that by figuring out a way to save the company millions of dollars. Wonder how many years and how many guys just cut out the harness without even thinking about it because that was the way it was always done! Job well done!
