“I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.”

Dedication

Dr. Carole M. Williams-Hayes, whose life story is an inspiration for her bravery, kindness, and steadfast commitment, is the honouree of this biography. This biography celebrates the journeys she took, the hardships she endured, and the inner fortitude she displayed. Her life story exemplifies the importance of perseverance, having faith, and the profound impact of genuine human connection.

This story is a tribute to her supportive parents, who came from modest means in Alabama but instilled in her the values of perseverance, honesty, and faith that have continued to impact her life. The values of discipline, tenacity, and hard work that she learnt were the bedrock of her character.

Her four children, who were there as she rose through the ranks of motherhood, military leadership, scholarship, and healing, also deserve this devotion. Their adoration and respect are tokens of the life she led with integrity and purpose, despite the fact that she overcame insurmountable odds.

Last but not least, this biography is for everyone who has ever needed help finding their way or just wanted a space to be themselves. Dr. Carole M. Williams-Hayes, has dedicated her life to making that happen by serving others, empathising with their struggles, and maintaining her firm conviction that helping one another is our highest calling.

“We are shaped by our beginnings, but not defined by them.”

Phase 1: The Roots That Shaped Her Journey

By today’s standards, Dr. Carole M. Williams-Hayes’ early years were spent in what would be considered humble or disadvantaged quarters. Dr. Carole, though, never felt that those formative years were lacking. Her formative years were shaped by the stability and love of her family, who triumphed over adversity and whose principles set the stage for the remarkable life she would achieve. In this section, we go into her childhood and how it moulded her sense of self, her outlook on life, and her later commitment to helping others, empathy, and persistence.

Being the firstborn of three siblings, Dr. Carole was in a natural position to provide both direction and duty the moment she came into this world. Even as an infant girl, she was aware that her words and deeds had consequences, that she set an example for her younger siblings, and that her tone of voice echoed throughout the house. Rather than burdening, being the eldest daughter instilled in her a sense of guardianship, enabling her to vigilantly monitor others, stand up for those she cared about, and take on leadership roles before she fully understood their significance.

Her parents, native Alabamans, raised her with a strong sense of discipline, faith, and morality. Her father, a diligent man with only an eighth-grade education, epitomised tenacity. By providing for his family and setting an example of perseverance and dedication in the face of adversity, he ensured that they could always count on him. There was spiritual stability, order, and warmth in the house because her mother was a stay home mother. Working in tandem, they established a setting where obstacles could never defeat opportunity and optimism could always triumph over adversity.

Dr. Carole frequently thought back on her formative years spent in what her neighbourhood nicknamed “the projects.” Her experience was defined by community, resilience, and togetherness, not scarcity, in a neighbourhood often associated with poverty, instability, and limited opportunities. Those were lively years in her memory, not because they were easy, but because her parents shielded her and her siblings from the burden of financial difficulties.

“Your life does not get better by chance; it gets better by change.”

Phase 2 : Turning Points and New Directions

The second phase of Dr. Carole M. Williams-Hayes’s life unfolded with a complexity that is familiar to many young adults — a mixture of exploration, self-discovery, uncertain crossroads, quiet disappointments, and the beginnings of profound transformation. These were the years in which she learned to listen more closely to her voice, confront the realities of her dreams, and make choices with courage rather than comfort. It is within this period that she began stepping out of childhood’s sheltered certainty and into the demanding world of adulthood, carrying with her all the strength and values she had absorbed during her formative years.

After completing high school, Dr. Carole found herself drawn toward creativity, expression, and the world of fashion. What began as a childhood interest in sewing and modelling grew into a genuine passion—one strong enough to drive her toward earning an associate degree in fashion merchandising. This was not merely an academic pursuit; it was her attempt to carve out a space for herself in an industry that celebrated beauty, innovation, and individuality. She believed that fashion could become a path of independence, a career that allowed her to express her talents while exploring possibilities beyond the confines of her upbringing.

Her involvement with school-level modelling gave her a glimpse of confidence and expression. Yet, as she stepped into early adulthood, she slowly began to realise the deep truths of the industry she longed to enter. The fashion world demanded proximity to hubs like New York and Los Angeles — cities brimming with opportunity, competition, and intense industry culture. But relocating to those cities required resources, connections, and circumstances she did not yet have. Instead, she found herself caught in a moment of internal conflict: the passion she held for fashion was real, but the path toward a sustainable career in the industry seemed increasingly difficult to attain.

Rather than allowing disappointment to dampen her spirit, Dr. Carole began to reflect inwardly. These reflections became crucial turning points. She realized that life rarely unfolds according to one’s first plan — and that when a dream closes its door, purpose quietly knocks on another. 

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”

Phase 3 : Rising Through Responsibility and Motherhood

By the time Dr. Carole M. Williams-Hayes entered her third decade of life, she had transformed from a woman who was only surviving change to one who was thriving in the face of it. As a mother, a leader, a student, and a woman learning to reconcile a powerful heart with extraordinary duty, her Air Force adventure began changing her identity in significant ways during this period.

In November 1988, Dr. Carole M. Williams-Hayes joined the United States Air Force, immersing herself in a world of strict discipline, intense training, and lofty standards. With the same unassuming resolve that had gotten her through her other life changes, she dived forward into basic training. Rigid, organised, and hard, basic training put her physical stamina, mental fortitude, and emotional maturity to the test—quite different from the free-form, expressive world she had imagined for herself while studying fashion.

Faith, justice, discipline, and compassion were the principles her parents had taught her, and they helped her stay grounded even in this strange place. She was able to persevere because of these principles. As her time in the military progressed, she learnt to appreciate the broader meaning of uniformity and rank: a life of camaraderie, shared experiences, and selfless service.

Shreveport, Louisiana was Dr. Carole’s initial duty location, marking the beginning of her adventure as an enlisted Air Force member. The early mornings, precision, cooperation, and tacit expectation of facing every difficulty with fortitude and poise were the rhythms of military life that she learnt here. Her military service primarily characterised her stay in Shreveport, but it also served as the site of a life-altering event—becoming a mother.

In Shreveport, she became a mother for the first time, starting a new chapter in her life that included both motherhood and military service. Taking on two roles at once required a level of resilience that is unusual for someone at the beginning of their career. 

Note of Thanks

As this biography of Dr. Carole M. Williams-Hayes reaches its closing page, it reflects not only the milestones she has achieved but the people who shaped her journey with love, guidance, and grace. Dr. Williams-Hayes extends her deepest gratitude to everyone who played a role — directly or indirectly — in helping her become the woman she is today.

She thanks her parents, who were always strict, had faith, and made sacrifices that helped shape her character. Their early teachings became her lifelong compass. She also expresses heartfelt appreciation to her siblings, whose achievements, encouragement, and shared resilience strengthened their family bond.

She offers profound gratitude to her four children—her greatest pride and purpose. Their love, patience, and admiration fuelled her determination throughout every demanding season of life. Their reflections of her fairness, strength, and compassion remain her most cherished affirmations.

She extends sincere thanks to her mentors, colleagues, teachers, and leaders throughout her military and academic journeys. Each one contributed to her growth as a professional and as a human being.

Finally, she offers gratitude to every client and survivor she has served. Their courage deepened her purpose and reminded her that healing is a sacred exchange of humanity.

Thank You
– Dr. Carole M. Williams-Hayes