LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lydia Dawson was nominated by her friend, Natalie Wyrick.

There are so many things to say about Ms. Dawson. She lost her husband a year ago to a heart attack. Left all alone from losing her partner in life and business, Ms. Dawson has had to pick up the pieces and put them back together. She has two childern to raise, a trucking business to run, and first graders to mentor and educate.

"With all that said, let me tell you about the first day I met Lydia Dawson," said Wyrick. "I was walking down the hallway at Stewart Street Elementary School, which was filled with students getting ready to go to Physical Education, and a soft voice with a smile said, 'You are here to see me. I'll be right back from walking my students to Physical Education.' Returning shortly, Lydia invited me into the classroom. We sat in the smallest chairs I've ever sat in, and still smiling, she began talking to me, one teacher to another. The sisterhood of teachers is a close bond that all teachers share, no matter where they teach."