Lynette James is our Her Timer of The Month for August 2024 from Waterbury, CT.

Lynette was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She moved to Waterbury after High School with her Aunt.  “I always liked to keep to myself.  My family said I was the Black Sheep because I never wanted to join in and do things.  I’m just happier by myself.  I observe what’s going on and talk when I am ready.” I had a couple teachers in Middle School who encouraged me.  When I got teased for being quiet, they told me “Stay focused and you can be whatever you want to be.”  I am a hard worker.  I used to work 70 hours a week as the Accountant for the Library then I would hurry over and work the Deli Counter at the grocery store.

”Lynette was away for one year and upon returning was only supervised for one week.  “I was definitely impacted by my experience.  When you get incarcerated, it is a BIG deal.  The things you see in there and the way people talk and treat each other, you don’t forget that.  Then when you get home, you have been changed and there isn’t anyone to talk to about it that really understands what you have been through.  I WISH I had Her Time when I got out.  That is how Her Time helps.  Being around people who have been there.  Just being able to sit and listen has been a big help for me.”  Proudly Lynette says: “They told me I was never going to amount to anything! I proved them wrong!  I have been married to my husband Daniel for 43 years.

I graduated from college.  I have three sons, two of them graduated from college. Marcus works at CT Junior Republic helping kids who are not safe living at home, Daryl is a Special Education Teacher and Mentor.  Jerrelle works on Norwegian Cruises Lines in Hawaii.  They all stayed out of trouble.  I have a seven-year-old Grandson, Cameron!   Now you tell me who is never going to amount to anything!  NOT ME!!!”

Not one to sit around, Lynette volunteers at the Church Food Pantry.  She attends the Community Tabernacle Outreach Center.  She loves that they do so many events to help the Community like stuffing new backpacks for the kids to return to school and Sneaker drives so the kids have new shoes.  She does the accounting at Urban Gardens where people get a plot of land to plant and grow fresh food. She works at DO Books and works for Inteletravel as a Travel Agent.  PLUS she watches her seven year old Grandson from 3p-6p five days a week!

We asked Lynnette a few questions:

What is your favorite Genre of music?

Gospel!

Where would you like to travel?

Anywhere in Africa.  My Grandson and I are crazy about animals. 

One fact people may not know about you?

I am not selfish. I am very caring.

How do you feel you make a difference in the world?

I work hard to give back to the Community to make up for the mistakes I made.  

What does Her Time mean to you?

It is a place where women get to talk as a Sisterhood, release anything they have been holding in, build self-confidence and self-esteem and access the resources they need to succeed.  I am there to listen.