“Our mothers, and women in general, are such an important part of forming who we are as people,” said Kristen. A member of the Cherokee Nation, Kristen’s heritage also includes Muskogee, Lakota and Oklahoma Seminole affiliations. Beyond her personal identity, Kristen’s deep-rooted connection to her roots has shaped her values of compassion and community, evident through her devotion to her family in times of crisis. When Kristen’s niece’s boyfriend was badly injured in a car accident, Kristen spent weeks attending to the needs of her 8-months- pregnant niece. “Whenever you’re a mom, you have to mother other mothers,” said Kristen. When her grandmother entered her final stages of life, Kristen assumed the role of caregiver, honoring her grandmother’s legacy. “I try to keep it in the spirit of how my grandmother treated us … I think I was just repaying the kindness and love that she gave me,” said Kristen. The matriarchal thread has also been woven into Kristen’s professional life and desire to health is not just a professional endeavor, it is a personal one. Stephanie grew up in south OKC. She faced challenges in childhood, including an abusive father and being raised by a single parent who struggled with substance use and mental health. In high school, Stephanie left home. She connected with a program called Upward Bound, a college preparatory program for first-generation college students. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is now a counselor at Putnam City High School. Stephanie’s own experience with homelessness prepared her for her role as homeless liaison for students in her school community, a responsibility she’s extremely passionate about. “I help those students who are unaccompanied or between living places with finding resources and planning,” said Stephanie. In summer 2024, Stephanie will begin the process of earning her licensed professional counselor credentials. Stephanie credits her and her husband James’ decision to go to college as a pivotal point in her journey as a mom.
give back to the community. Kristen is director of institutional research at Rose State College, where she is responsible for data and information technology. She is also a member of Matriarch, a female- led nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Native American women. She was recently accepted into Rematriation, a new leadership program for Indigenous women in STEM. “It’s just amazing to make connections with other Indigenous women who are trailblazing where there aren’t many Indigenous women, especially in higher education,” said Kristen. The program has helped Kristen’s daughters see what it’s like to navigate being a woman of color in spaces where there are few present. As a family, Kristen and her four kids enjoy spending time together watching movies and going to Frontier City. As the matriarch in her own household, Kristen’s legacy of kindness is reflected in her kids. “Getting compliments [that] your kids are kind and generous people … means more than any award, accolade or achievement I could ever have because they are my greatest achievement,” said Kristen. “It greatly changed things for us and really opened a world of opportunities,” said Stephanie. Both survivors of difficult childhoods, Stephanie notes that she and James have worked hard to parent intentionally and prioritize their mental health. They have two children, Michael, 8, and Madelynn, 1. Stephanie’s journey to motherhood was not without challenges, as Michael spent 24 days in the NICU. Then, Stephanie experienced postpartum depression. “I kept thinking, I’ll get over this … he’s home now,” recalls Stephanie. “Then after a while it was like, OK, I’m not getting over it and I need help.” Family and community support have been instrumental to Stephanie as a mom. She is grateful that her mother, now sober and healthy, is able to be a part of her children’s lives. “I remember in high school praying for these things, and now looking back, I’m just so grateful for it,” said Stephanie. “I learned some hard lessons through my past, but it’s made these moments as a mother even more beautiful.”
FINALIST Kristen Chewey Kristen Chewey leans into her Native American matriarchal culture as a mom and working professional.
FINALIST Stephanie Boynkin
For high school counselor Stephanie Boynkin, helping students address their mental
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAY-JUNE 2024 13
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