Women Who Inspire
This week we are being introduced to a woman of God through one of Christian Women Living Magazine’s content writer, Rolanda Pyle. Meet Eunice Williams-Dowling from Elmont, New York.
Rolanda Pyle: Will you please introduce yourself to our readers and give us a little background information? Family? Children? Career? Hobbies? Where are you from? (city and state) as well as short testimony?
Eunice Williams-Dowling: I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, to the late Rosa Lee and Reverend Elder Aiken Williams, Jr. I attended the schools of Brooklyn, New York. I received my B.A. in Psychology and MSW degree in Social Work, and I am currently working as a Social Worker at a Mental Health agency in Elmont, NY. On September 1, 2001, I married Oliver Dowling in Holy Matrimony. Through this union, God has blessed me to be a mother to Anina McCarthy, DeVawne, and DiAndre Dowling. Also, we are blessed to have five grandchildren.
I enjoy my life as a believer, influenced by my parents’ devoted walk with God. They were great examples of loving God. I accepted Christ as Savior and Lord at 12 years old through their example. There are some things I am passionate about, which are mentoring young girls and women and encouraging them to take their rightful place in society. Also, I enjoy counseling and helping families to reunite and develop strong relationships. Also, I love music, singing, and baking.
RP: What prompted you to follow your current career path?
ED: Growing up, I always wanted to encourage, motivate, comfort, and advise others. I realized that Social Work is the path for me because of the compassion I have for people. I love to be a part of the process of individuals moving from one phase to the next.
RP: What would you consider to be the most challenging aspect of social work and/or mental health when it comes to faith-based
programs?
ED: One challenging aspect of social work and or mental health is resources.
The resources consist of funding and programs.
RP: How does your faith influence your work as a mental health professional/social worker?
ED: My faith gives me a positive expectation of healing and recovery for each client. It causes me to be innovative and creative in administering various
services.
RP: What are some of the common Biblical principles that you apply to the situations you face in your daily job duties?
ED: There are two principles I apply daily: Trust and Integrity.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
I find that acknowledging God daily helps me to make the right decisions that lead me to the open door or a God’s idea that is needed.
Proverbs 11:3 – The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them,
But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
I believe in living with integrity and following Christ’s example. And we can only live with true integrity by His power, which He graciously and freely gives to all who are His.
RP: As Christians, we are called to help others, so with the current state of affairs concerning mental health, what is the most commonly recommended way for communities to help those in need?
ED: I believe there are a few ways to help the communities in need as follows:
Provide resources on safety
Develop programs to assist with housing
Create Awareness in the community about the resources that are available to them within the community
Create Jobs: Encourage Businesses and Organizations to identify opportunities within their businesses or organizations to help individuals earn a living wage to change their financial status
However, I believe creating awareness of resource is effective in assisting individuals within the community.
Thank you Rolanda for a wonderful interview and thank you Eunice for taking time to share your insights with our readers at CWL.
