After my son, Liam, was born, my company fired me, claiming I was “too distracted.” My response turned a personal loss into a powerful community. Mornings were a blur—Liam’s cries woke me at dawn, and I’d rock him while answering work emails, my tea forgotten on the desk. I managed spreadsheets during naps and joined video calls between feedings, keeping my mic off to hide his coos. It was tough, but I was proud to balance my role as a single mom and data analyst.
I’d spent five years at my company, growing from intern to project manager. I earned a data science certificate and led our team through a major software upgrade. My boss, Mark, once said, “You’re our backbone.” I thrived on the work and my team’s trust. After maternity leave, I returned eager to contribute, even with Liam’s sleepless nights. I logged in early, stayed late, and kept my camera on, hiding my exhaustion behind a smile.
But the vibe changed. A colleague remarked, “You seem worn out,” her tone sharp. Mark announced a crunch period with late meetings. I asked for notice because of Liam’s daycare, but got no reply. A 6 p.m. call was scheduled, and when I requested a different time, Mark ignored me. Then my paycheck was delayed. I asked Mark, who said, “It’s not like you’re supporting a family.” Stunned, I clarified I was a single parent. He shrugged, dismissing me.
One day, Mark and an HR rep, Karen, met with me in a cold office. Mark said, “We need someone without distractions.” I pressed, “You mean my son?” He didn’t deny it. I left calmly, but inside, I was furious. They saw my motherhood as a flaw, not my years of hard work. That night, with Liam asleep, I made a video. “I lost my job for being a mom,” I said, sharing my story. It went viral overnight, with millions of views and messages from moms who’d faced the same.
A comment—“Start a business, we’re in”—sparked an idea. I founded Rise Mamas, a collective of mom freelancers. We worked during bedtimes, with kids in the background, landing clients who valued our grit. Today, Rise Mamas has 30 moms, creating campaigns and websites. Liam’s two, full of energy, and our mornings are joyful. Losing my job hurt, but it freed me to build a world where moms shine.
