Mother’s Day is a national day of recognition for the outstanding things mothers do in raising their children.
But mothers never stop cheering for their children.
Today, Genny Nyman, 92, will celebrate when her only daughter, Lylah Owen, 69, graduates from Metropolitan State College of Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.
Nyman traveled more than 500 miles by car from her home in Topeka, Kan., on Saturday with her son, Jim, so she could celebrate her daughter’s accomplishment.
“I would have crawled on my hands and knees,” Nyman said. “I’m so proud of her.”
In 1955, Owen attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., the University of Colorado at Boulder and Arapahoe Community College.
But Owen decided that family life should come first. She put her studies on hold and raised her son, Barry, and daughter, Jill. Owen and her longtime husband, Rex, have three grandchildren.
Eight years ago, she decided to return to school part time. At first, she felt apprehensive because the years had flown by and she didn’t think she could succeed.
“I had no confidence in my ability,” Owen said.
But her determination conquered uncertainty.
In 1999, Owen enrolled at Metro State to pursue music. In 2001, she switched her major from music to classes that focused on subjects that interested her. She enrolled in the women’s studies department.
“I was treated well there, and my age didn’t seem to be a big thing to everyone,” Owen said.
Today, she will receive an individualized bachelor of arts degree in women’s studies with an emphasis on multicultural women and a minor in music.
“She really strived for excellence to the best of her ability,” said professor Arlene Sgoutas of the Institute for Women’s Studies and Services and one of Owen’s instructors.
When the stress of college got to be too much, Owen credits support from her husband, an architectural engineer who helped her fix computer problems and offered her moral support.
“It was a culmination of a lot of effort,” Rex Owen said. “She’s been working awfully hard for this.”
Lylah Owen focused her studies on minority women’s issues.
“I don’t like what happened to them. They were especially debased and made to feel ashamed. I just wanted to express my voice,” she said.
Today, as Owen walks down the aisle to pick up her degree, she offers a slice of wisdom to women who may be considering returning to school.
“Just hang in there,” she said. “If you can do it at 69, anyone can do it.”
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
