Carlton Celebrates Women: Tracey and Trinity’s Story

We’re celebrating the stories and achievements of women of all ages and backgrounds during Women’s History Month. At Carlton Senior Living Downtown Pleasant Hill, mother and daughter duo Tracey and Trinity are making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents every day.

Trinity began working at Carlton Senior Living Downtown Pleasant Hill in 2022, the summer after her freshman year of high school.

“As a server in Memory Care, I’ve been able to get to know the residents, their likes, and personalities very well,” says Trinity. During the school year, she misses the daily interactions with residents. Still, she cherishes connecting with each resident personally when they’re together.

Working alongside her mother has given Trinity a newfound appreciation for her leadership. “Working with my mother has allowed me to see my mother as a person and leader, not just my mom,” says Trinity. “I now see how and why she makes decisions.” Trinity has also learned to stand up for herself and others who cannot do so for themselves, treating everyone with respect and kindness.

With 27 years of experience in the industry, Tracey got her start in skilled nursing, where she worked with her mother for 16 years.

“I was in school for Administration of Justice when I was asked to come work at the facility where my mom was the Social Worker,” says Tracey. “At the time, I was in college finishing my degree, and her facility wanted to start a secured Memory Care unit and needed a director and asked me to establish the operations of this new unit.”

Tracey admits the learning curve was steep initially as she was unfamiliar with dementia. “I made a 2-year commitment to the community but continued to finish my degree with stars in my eyes that I would be a probation/parole officer,” Tracey recalls. “Sixteen years later, I was still there. I fell in love with the residents and gained personal satisfaction with my work.” She transitioned to Carlton Senior Living Downtown Pleasant Hill in 2013 as the Director of Resident Services.

Tracey’s experience in skilled nursing provided a foundation for growth that has contributed to her success in assisted living.

“I was told by colleagues that I would be bored going from skilled nursing to an assisted living community, but they were wrong,” Tracey explains. She took on the leadership role of Executive Director at Carlton Senior Living Downtown Pleasant Hill about four years after joining the team and has never looked back.

When it comes to working with her daughter, Tracey says working with Trinity has been a privilege and has allowed her to see her daughter’s growth and development as a capable young woman. “Being a leader at Carlton has been an honor, but it became more impactful once my daughter joined our team,” Tracey explains. “Suddenly, I wasn’t just teaching my daughter her basic sandbox lessons. Now I was an example to her on how to be a woman in the workplace.”

Tracey was initially concerned about how her daughter would adjust to the working, adult world, but all those worries have slipped away.

“I have had the honor and pleasure of seeing my daughter as a strong young woman learning and making her way in the world. “Sometimes, when she’s not looking, I’ll stand back and watch her connect and have positive and meaningful experiences with the residents, and I just beam,” says Tracey. “I now realize my mother must have had similar feelings while working with me.” Tracey’s mother, who was paralyzed in a car accident at 22, has always been her biggest inspiration, teaching her to handle life’s disappointments and make them into successes. Although they no longer work together, Tracey’s mother continues to inspire her.

Tracey advises younger women leaders never to apologize for being a powerful woman.

The world needs strong women, and each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women. Women’s History Month is for all women, regardless of age, and it celebrates the achievements of women like Tracey and Trinity, who make a difference in the lives of others every day.

Read more:

Carlton Celebrates Women – Evelyn Jensen’s Story

Graciela’s Story & Advice for Future Leaders

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