On Saturday, May 12, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in Management and a Certificate in Organizational Leadership. I am the first person on either side of my family to earn a college degree. Neither one of my parents graduated high school, and neither did I. But I finally got my GED when I was 24 and started the ball rolling. At 26 I began community college full-time. At 27 I got pregnant and had to quit school to...
What’s More Offensive Than TIME’s Breastfeeding Cover Story? This PR Pitch…
Unless you’ve been in a coma, I’m sure you’ve heard the national freakout over the TIME Magazine cover story with the mom breastfeeding her 3 year old. For the official record, I thought it was a nice picture, but their “Are you MOM ENOUGH?” headline was the offensive part. It was catty and juvenile and divisive (says the woman who...
The Kids Laughed at My Son’s Painted Nails. He Didn’t Mind.
A few weeks ago, I was getting all the kids’ haircuts at Snippets when I noticed they sold Piggie Paint at the counter. Pedicures and manicures are my favorite thing in the world – always have been – but I don’t keep nail polish in the house because I never do my own nails. I go to the salon a...
Got $10? Let’s Save Lives This Mother’s Day
A few days ago, I saw a celebrity activist campaign called “No Mother’s Day” which is encouraging mothers to boycott Mother’s Day this year in order to honor the 350,000 women lost each year in childbirth. While I admire the sentiment, I have a bit different approach. I thought it would be much more helpful to actually DO something to...
The Difference Between 24 and 34…
On my 24th Birthday: Went to Sheffield’s with a huge group of my coworkers, family, and friends. My dad (who was 38 at the time) flew in from Pennsylvania and got me so drunk on Tequila shots that I threw up in the ladies room and got us all kicked out. My dad and my Best Guy Friend escorted my...
This Reminds Me of That Time in High School
There’s a small group of particularly deranged people online who spend their days and nights bashing me, my family, and even my small children. Yep – they call my kids names. Why? Good lord, who the hell knows why. I don’t think anyone could logically explain why another human being would call a baby disgusting names, no matter how much...
The 12 Months of Jolene Estelle
My only daughter turned 1 Year Old today. In her first year on this planet, she has already given me so many beautiful experiences and memories. She has taught me so much more about myself, my husband, and my boys than I ever thought possible. On her first day, she gave me my glorious homebirth experience — and she helped...
“OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD”
I can’t even think right now. I can’t say anything but OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD over and over. Why? Because I just got this letter: “Ms. Gina Crosley-Corcoran, Congratulations! It is with great pleasure that I inform you that following the review of your application and supplemental materials you have been recommended for admission into the School of Public Health, as an Epidemiology...
