By: Katina Rice-Davis, Staff Writer
Katina@thewoodrufftimes.com
During Women’s History Month, we pause to celebrate women who are not only excelling in their fields but actively shaping a sustainable future for generations to come. This year’s theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” perfectly reflects the life and leadership of Dr. Patience Schumpert Bolden — educator, minister, entrepreneur, wife, and proud alumna of Woodruff High School, Class of 1998.
For 23 years, Dr. Bolden has faithfully served in the very halls where she once walked as a student. Today, she teaches Spanish, leads in ministry, mentors women in business, and pours into her community with intentionality and grace.
A Journey Rooted in Calling
Dr. Bolden’s path into education began early. “I have always wanted to be a teacher,” she shares. But it was during her junior year of high school, when she took Spanish, that she discovered her passion. “I fell in love with it. I knew then that I was going to be a Spanish teacher.”
Her calling to ministry unfolded differently. Although she always felt a strong desire to study and teach God’s Word, she did not initially plan to preach. “God literally led me to this calling,” she explains. After wrestling with the call, she ultimately accepted what she describes as God’s destiny for her life — to carry and proclaim His Word.
Entrepreneurship was yet another unexpected chapter. Though she never considered herself a “salesperson,” the opportunity to join Mary Kay came her way multiple times before she said yes. Today, as a ranked Independent Sales Director, she embraces the opportunity to enrich women’s lives. Inspired by founder Mary Kay Ash, Dr. Bolden appreciates a company culture grounded in the Golden Rule and the motto: God first, family second, career third. “There are no glass ceilings,” she says. “The earning potential is endless.”
Women Who Shaped Her Leadership
Behind every strong leader are women who helped shape her understanding of strength and sustainability. For Dr. Bolden, that begins with her mother, Alice Schumpert, whose influence laid a foundation of faith and perseverance. She also credits Gloria Mayfield-Banks, Mary Kay Elite Executive National Sales Director-Emeritus, and Sharon Byrd, Mary Kay Future Executive Sales Director, as women who modeled excellence, leadership, and vision.
Education as a Foundation for Sustainability
In her classroom at Woodruff High School, Dr. Bolden knows her role extends beyond teaching verb conjugations and vocabulary. “While I love teaching the beautiful language of Spanish, I know that God has me in that classroom for a much greater purpose,” she says.
She frequently shares wisdom with her students about college, adulthood, and decision-making. She reminds them that education is priceless, something no one can ever take away. Learning language and culture, she explains, not only strengthens understanding of one’s native language but also fosters respect for diverse perspectives in an interconnected world.
Through collaborative group work, students learn responsibility, communication, and appreciation for viewpoints beyond their own. But above all, Dr. Bolden hopes they leave her classroom knowing one thing: “That they are loved and we believe in them for greatness.”
Faith in Action
As a minister, Dr. Bolden believes spiritual sustainability — maintaining faith, hope, and resilience — is essential in today’s changing world. She leads a “Teachers for Christ” group at the high school, offering encouragement and inspiration to fellow educators navigating both classroom challenges and life beyond school walls. She also uses social media as a platform to share uplifting messages with those who may simply scroll past and need a word of hope.
Her leadership is deeply guided by faith. “I always remember, how would Jesus handle situations?” she says. “I lean on the Holy Spirit to guide me because I want people to see Christ when we meet.” She believes churches and faith leaders play a vital role in building sustainable communities by loving neighbors, serving with compassion, and standing firmly on biblical principles.
Empowering Women Economically
Through her work with Mary Kay, Dr. Bolden sees entrepreneurship as a powerful avenue for economic sustainability for women. Beyond financial opportunity, she emphasizes mindset, discipline, and stewardship. “My business has taught me to keep a positive mindset, plan my week, decide priorities, and spend and invest wisely,” she explains.
As a Sales Director, she mentors women by maintaining open communication, offering weekly training, and ensuring no consultant feels alone in building her business. Flexibility, she says, allows women to grow while honoring family and other responsibilities.
Women Leading Change
Dr. Bolden believes women are uniquely positioned to reimagine and rebuild systems because of their God-given ability to balance multiple responsibilities with grace. “We wear so many hats but can make it look so graceful,” she says. “This is why we can complete missions of change where it is necessary.”
Yet challenges remain. Women still face discrimination in workplaces, communities, and even houses of worship. Her solution? Support one another. “Because of the power that we possess, we could truly impact the world when we learn to support each other.”
For young women in Woodruff, her advice is clear: build a foundation of faith and education, believe in yourself, stay informed about the world, and cultivate confidence.
Balancing the Many Hats
Balancing life as an educator, minister, entrepreneur, and wife to Kenny Bolden (to whom she has been married for five and a half years) requires intentionality. Dr. Bolden credits compartmentalization and planning as key strategies. “When I am at school, I focus on schoolwork. When I am preparing for ministry, I focus on God. When I am working my Mary Kay business, I focus on that,” she says. “I have to be intentional with my time so that I can also make time for myself and my family.”
Her advice to women striving to excel in multiple areas: Believe that you can. Plan your work and work your plan. Set goals, reward yourself, and understand that perfection is not required for success.
A Legacy of Love and Greatness
When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave, Dr. Bolden’s answer is simple yet profound: “I hope that people will remember me as a fun-loving woman of God who loves people, education, and making people feel important and loved.”
To the next generation of women leaders, she offers this final message: “Dream big no matter what because you were created for greatness. Write down your dreams, work, stay focused, imagine yourself there, and go after what God has called you to do.”
In every classroom lesson, sermon, business training, and encouraging word, Dr. Patience Schumpert Bolden exemplifies what it means to lead change; not only for today, but for a truly sustainable future.
