Our People: Developing strong women

Emily French was born and raised in Thornton, Colorado. She has lived in Clovis since 2013. She enjoys various types of art and technology, spending time with her husband, her dogs and watching movies. She loves camping and the outdoors.

French said she has a "serious love" for journalism and writing and her true passion is helping people. French is the recruitment and retentions specialist for the local Girl Scouts program. She started in 2014 as a volunteer for the "Be a Friend First" program; a program that teaches middle school girls about bullying, how to deal with bullies and what to do if they see someone being bullied. She said when the girls would see her out in public, they would run up to her to say they missed her and is how she fell in love with the program.

French has overcome homelessness, after having faced a violent incident with a family member. She left home with nothing more than a backpack and lived in her car for eight months. Through perseverance and the help of her then boyfriend, now husband, James French, she was able to get back on her feet.

She is a student at Clovis Community College studying behavioral science.

What do you like about your job?

I get to impact girls each day by getting them into a Girl Scout troop with girls and adults that they can be themselves around. It is a safe place for everyone to learn, grow, and try new things. The girls get to discover their voice and I get the chance to teach them what strong women they can become.

What don't you like about your job?

Not everyone understands what Girl Scouts can do for their daughters. Girl Scouts builds girls with courage, confidence and character and I think that makes the world a better place.

What's your favorite song at the moment?

"Dangerous Woman" by Ariana Grande.

What's the best gift you've ever been given?

My husband booked a hotel room for me for my 21st birthday. I was homeless at the time and the ability to take a warm shower was the best gift of all.

What's so great about your favorite sport?

Anyone can fish if they have enough patience.

What's your favorite taste?

I love salty things like chips, pickles and dark chocolate with sea salt.

What's your favorite smell?

Fresh laundry or my husband's body wash.

Tell us about your greatest individual accomplishment?

I have overcome homelessness and made my way in this world. I'm in a much better place now and I can't imagine being anywhere else at this point in my life.

Make up your own question and answer it: What am I most proud of or a quality that I love about myself?

I am most proud of how strong I am as a person. I have faced so much in my short history that most people can't imagine. I am proud that I've never given up, nor have I let anything stop me from what I set my mind to. I'm proud to be so strong.

What do you envision your life being like in 10 years?

My husband will be retired from the Air Force by that time and we will have two kids playing in our living room. I'll mostly be done with school and helping patients meet their mental health goals.

— Compiled by correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield