Today we’d like to introduce you to Anita Cathcart.
Hi Anita, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a former employee of the U.S. Federal Government, and currently employed with Maryland State Government. My career
has been very diverse, where I was employed as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, Executive Administrative Assistant, Fiscal Specialist, Fiscal Services Officer, and other duties as assigned. Family and friends have helped me along the way, and were very instrumental in my day to day responsibilities leading up to my present career status.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a totally smooth road. While working on my career during the ’90s, I was also raising my son as a single parent. I had help from my family, but raising him as a mother was not just a hardship for me, but a challenge as I tried to keep all of the balls in the air. It was my responsibility to ensure that my son had a pleasant, safe, and acceptable childhood. Children typically do not understand having just one parent, so I had to create the best atmosphere for him to be raised in.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently serve in my community as President of the Allendale Community Association, a subdivision of Edmondson Village proper. I was elected for this position in June 2018 and is now in my third year as President. My role is to be an advocate for a clean and safe community by holding monthly meetings, hosting special events for children and adults, partnering with our area recreation center and elementary school, and partnering with the local police department in the Southwestern District of Baltimore. Being a former federal employee, I learned to transfer my professional experiences over to my current local community leader responsibilities. My unique style of communication and collaboration with our community partners allows me to garner a trustworthy relationship with my residents where they will be more apt to support my vision for a safer and cleaner community.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Well, in my opinion, in order to receive success, I must take calculated risks. Sometimes I have to make decisions that are not popular with everyone when dealing with community-related issues and concerns, but they still must be made. I am always cognizant of what the outcome may be as I take certain risks, but if I don’t take them, I will never know what the outcome would be. Success or failure will never be known if there are no risks taken in life. If I take a risk and the outcome is successful, then, of course, I’ve won against the odds of being defeated. If I take a risk and the outcome is that I failed, then I take it as a lesson learned experience and move on.
Contact Info:
- Email: allendalecomm@gmail.com
- Website: allendalecommunityassociation.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anita.cathcart1
Image Credits
Brecter Morton
