When Zina Craft approached her boss for a promotion, she never thought that in a few short months she would not only be pursuing a different career but also completing her degree at DePaul University in Chicago. Craft, a mother of four, was working for a publishing company when she read an article about moving up in the workplace. A close friend of Craft urged her to apply for an open sales position.

Unsure if she was qualified or if she would succeed in the position, Craft took a chance and applied. She got the job and within her first year she was named “Rookie of the Year.” As a result, Craft received a well-deserved promotion into a marketing position within the company.

Although Craft is a very hard worker, she attributes her success to her education. From an early age Craft’s family emphasized that education is the key to a better life. Craft kept this philosophy in mind while taking care of her four children, working full time and attending school. It was a long and difficult journey to earn her degree but it also gave her one of her most memorable achievements. “I’ve had many achievements in my life, but my graduation stands out as one of the best. Jesse Jackson Sr. gave the commencement speech and the air was filled with a great deal of hope. It had been a long hard journey and it almost felt surreal that I was at Navy Pier marching to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance!”

Craft continues to work hard with the hopes of one day becoming an executive marketing manager. In the mean time, Craft is furthering her education and earning a PhD. She hopes that with this degree she will be able to more fully pursue her passion for helping the socially and economically deprived people of Africa.

“John Donne said it best. ‘No man is an island.’” said Craft when asked what message she would like to send to the Women Achieve readers. She added that she, “would like to extend that to all women. It reminds us that in our pursuits we should not expect to do it alone. We’ll need our family, friends and of course our higher power. I would encourage women to believe in themselves but most importantly believe in the higher power within them and anything is possible.”