Wilmington's 40 Under 40 Class of 2022: Veronica Lett-McGee
Age: 36
Birthplace: Monroeville, Alabama, but grew up in Tuskegee, Alabama, and spent summers in Decatur, Georgia
Employer: Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc. and UNCW School of Social Work
Job title: Senior Center Director and adjunct field liaison at UNCW
Family: Husband, Quintin McGee, and son, John Carleton “J.C.” McGee, born in May
Education: Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies in 2008, and a Master of Social Work in 2012, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
What community and professional groups are you affiliated with? NASW, UNCW, Brunswick County Democratic Party.
What are your guiding principles? I once learned “It is better to be kind than to be right” in a workshop on working with individuals with dementia. It’s aspirational, and something I often need to be reminded of, but a great guiding principle. I also find great meaning in the sentiment of “Bloom where you are planted.” My life has taken me to so many unexpected places and I’ve suffered many losses, but I also try to find a way to get rooted/grounded and be of service to others around me, wherever I may find myself.
How do you volunteer your time in the community? Much of my service to our community is implemented through my work as the director of the Brunswick Center at Leland, an active senior center here in Leland, and also through my husband's work as district court judge in the Brunswick, Bladen, and Columbus Co. District. Through my role at the senior center, we provide social and community resources to our neighbors over age 50, provide opportunities for meaning-making in later life, and assist those in need in order to help them age in place by way of social services, Meals on Wheels, and a congregate lunch, and PORCH food drive. We also have the great fortune of strong partnerships with Brunswick Family Assistance, Brunswick Wellness Coalition, Kiwanis & Rotary, and American Legion, among others. Personally, my husband and I have enjoyed working with WARM, Fran’s Fans, and Brunswick County Senior Games.
Who has helped you achieve success in your life and career? My partner pushes me to share my gifts with the world, even in times when I may tend to be more reserved. Also, my family, specifically, my late father, always encouraged me to strive high and recognize my own excellence, no matter how counted out I might feel. I've also always had the good fortune of being surrounded by strong women, from my mom to my sisters, to myriad sister-friends. My village has given me so much confidence to be my most authentic self and give to others from a place of deep abundance.
What goal would you like to accomplish before turning 40? Personally, I’d like to travel more and start my son on a journey of understanding and appreciating different people, places, and cultures. It’s also important to me that he learns to value others and their experiences across the lifespan. Professionally (and personally, as I was once a caregiver myself), I hope to continue to serve older adults and the families that support them. We have much to learn and improve on how we care for those in later life and I feel such a strong commitment to helping improve conditions for those who have done so much and yet still have so much to offer.
What's your favorite book? So tough! This would be like asking about a favorite life memory, or a favorite child. What I will offer are a few that have impacted me greatly: “Black, White & Jewish by Rebecca Walker,” “Beloved” by Toni Morrison, “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brene Brown, “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant, “Nickled and Dimed” by Barbara Ehrenreich, and “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande.
What are your hobbies? I love reading, grocery shopping, and porch-sitting with my family. I love to take walks, garden, cook, crochet, or do anything creative with my hands.
What's your most prized possession? My books and childhood/family pictures.
If you had a theme song for your life, what would it be? “Be Ever Wonderful” by Earth, Wind & Fire
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington's 40 Under 40: Veronica Lett-McGee
