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March 29, 2024
By Renata O'Donnell Photography
Today, for the "Women's History Month" project celebration, I would like to introduce this amazing woman.
Meet Rebecca Badeau, 55, wife, mom of 2, Clinical Professional Counselor and a Mainer from away.
"There will always be light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” Amanda Gorman
Rebecca grew up with her family in the South Shore of Boston. She is the oldest of three girls. "We always had at least one, if not two dogs and cats throughout my young life", says Rebecca. They were all either misfits or rescues or both! "My mom’s readiness to take in and care for those in need may have planted the first seeds for my being a counselor." She affirms with a smile in her face.
When Rebecca was young, her mom was a bus driver. She went back to school to become a nurse when Rebecca was in middle school. "I have never in my life been as impressed with anyone as I was with her as I watched how hard she studied to become an RN. I think I remember doing a report on her as my hero in 8th grade." Says Rebecca
Why have you decided to move to Maine?
I moved to Maine with Paul, my then fiance. When we visited Maine, all his friends would say “Why don’t you guys come live here?” So we did; 28 years ago. I love Maine. I love everything about it. I love the rocky coast. I love sandy beaches. I love being able to spot a good wave to catch from 50 feet out. I absolutely love being in the mountains. And of course, the people. People from Maine are down to Earth, and real. They are independent and resilient, but desperately care for one another. I will always be “from away.” But, I am a Mainer.
How about your education?
Another seed impacting my future career choice was planted in high school. As a senior, I filled a study hall by volunteering in the special needs classroom. I corrected papers and read to the students. I was extremely enamored with the lead teacher Ms. LaChance. She was so graceful, kind, and very patient. I loved watching how she would interact with the students, keeping things calm and bringing out the best in them.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology highlighted by an honor’s project on the efficacy of medication on children diagnosed with ADHD. Following college, I went straight to graduate school to receive my Master’s degree in Counseling. I then went on to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
Tell us about your work:
My work has involved serving people since I was seventeen years old. During summers when I was in high school and college, I was a substitute Work Supervisor in a program that employed developmentally delayed adults. I was delighted when they gave me the geriatric group as my very own. I almost doubled their productivity!
Since then, with my degree, I have had the opportunity to work with a number of populations; my first job out of grad school was doing substance abuse counseling in South Boston. I worked with the homeless, as well as a Clinician in a residential program much like the Sweester program in Saco.
When I transitioned to Maine, I was the Clinical Counselor at a jail diversion residential program for adjudicated teenage girls. I helped create the program from its inception. At the time, having a program that specifically treated girls was somewhat revolutionary. Focusing on their specific needs helped to heal past traumas, giving them problem solving strategies, supporting their ability to engage in healthy relationships, re-engaging with school, as well as family work, so they could successfully transition home. The most important thing we did was to give them self esteem and dignity. After pouring myself into that program, when I left, I felt that I had graduated from the program, along with the girls we served.
Since then I have had the opportunity to work in schools in a variety of capacities. As a school- based counselor, I was able to serve as a bridge for my clients by addressing both their school issues, as well as family and personal issues. I believe this allowed me to be more impactful, and I often healed some of the parents’ past trauma as well. I believe that helping kids in their elementary years and addressing their issues early on can improve the trajectory of their entire school careers and perhaps their lives. Working with adolescents adds the spice!!
I spent eight years working in day treatment, both at the high school and elementary levels. . The quote “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has,” best describes what happens in day treatment. I worked with an extraordinary group of talented, hard working people, who were as committed to each other as they were to the kids. As brutally hard as the work was at times, I will always be grateful to them for teaching me what a “team” truly is. Alas, once a Chaos Coordinator, always a Chaos Coordinator.
I am now a School Counselor working with regular education students. I am responsible for about 300 kids! I genuinely love it! Every day is different, and maybe – just maybe – the work I do now can prevent students from needing all the other services I have provided earlier in my career. When I was interviewing, I was told that the school is “…a really special place where people work hard, and are truly committed to the kids.” I knew I’d fit in perfectly.
There is no better feeling on Earth when someone you worked with years ago approaches you in the Mall and says “Thank you. You made a difference in my life.”
Life Challenges?
My biggest challenge I’ve faced was losing my parents. Especially my mom. I was a new mom at the time, and the birth of my boys had brought me closer to her than I’d ever been. It was such a special time in my life. But then, when she was sick, I would cry all the way to visit her because I was leaving my boys, then I would cry all the way back after leaving her. When she passed, and ever since then, I have grieved my own loss, my boys' loss of their Grammy. She would have been great. I for one know what an amazing gift a grandmother can be. I was graced with the best grandmother ever, and I had so wanted my boys to experience that kind of relationship.
I don’t know if the loss of your mother is something you overcome. It’s been fifteen years and I still miss her. I guess the best way to honor her is to exemplify her positive qualities. I do hope someday (in the future!) that I will be able to teach my boys what a wonderful joy a grandmother can be, by being one for their children.
What are your greatest achievements:
My greatest achievement is my boys. I could not possibly be more proud of them than I am. As their mother, I love them more than life itself. But, I also genuinely admire the men that they are becoming. They are truly good, kind people, who are confident, thoughtful, and exceptionally talented in their own unique ways. My older son is studying to be an airline pilot. He is one of the most driven people I know. In pursuit of this goal, he paid for and earned his private pilot’s license before going to college. My younger son is a musician and composer. His primary instrument is the saxophone, with a specific interest in jazz. He is a graduating senior and we are in the midst of deciding what college he will attend. It has been exciting and gratifying to learn of his acceptance at some of the best music schools in the country: Berklee and Oberlin to name a few, with faculty expressing their admiration for his talent. I cannot wait to see where the journey of their lives will take them.
What are you passionate about in life?
I am passionate about being a good Christian. To me, that means loving, caring and accepting others as they are. It means seeking out and supporting those who are in need, and advocating for those who are marginalized. It means rejoicing in diversity and differences, because the world would be a pretty boring place if we were all the same. It also means being actively engaged in my community.
I love to be active outside, hence my love for Maine. Rock climbing is my favorite outdoor activity, followed by skiing, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding and backpacking. I also enjoy working on the gardens in my yard, and reading a good book
I value being kind, compassionate, honest and hard working.
Here is another one of Rebeccas's Favorite quotes:
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” ― Maya Angelou
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Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your story and empowering others!
#womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womanpower #mainephotographer