Ramona Austin

For as long as she can remember, Ramona Austin has been a caregiver. "My sister, Milly's, husband died and left her with three young children," she explained. "I helped Milly care for her children while she attended St. Petersburg College."

Her instinctive nature to help others and her desire for a college education eventually led Ramona to pursue her passion - a career in nursing.

At 48, after raising her son and caring for others, Milly helped Ramona turn her dream of becoming a nurse into reality by supporting her financially when she attended St. Petersburg College. "Ramona helped me get through college by taking care of my family. Now it was her turn to go to school," Milly said. Ramona enjoyed every minute of going to SPC. Not only did Ramona's education from SPC help her excel in a career that she loved, it also provided her the means to explore her passion for travel and adventure. "Once I had that career, I was able to travel all over the world."

Ramona's youngest sister, Paula, carried on the tradition of helping family members achieve their educational goals and financially supported her daughter-in-law when she attended SPC's nursing program.

Ramona has a picture with her sisters from her nurse pinning ceremony at SPC in 1989. She displays it on her wall with some of her favorite memories. Included on that same wall is a butterfly picture with the saying: "There are but two lasting bequests we can give our children. The first is roots - the last: wings."

Reflecting back on her education and family, Ramona was inspired by the generosity of her two sisters, Milly and Paula. Ramona wanted to help give SPC students wings and has arranged for a bequest to the college through her estate plan to help students complete their nursing degrees.