Mother, 71, And Daughter, 50, Earn Degrees Together. Proves “Age Is Just A Number”

The mother-daughter duo are the epitome of the idiom “age is just a number.” Yvonne Spann Sowers and her daughter, Eyamba Sowers Scott, did it again. Not content with completing high school together over 50 years ago, these two powerhouses recently celebrated their college graduations together, proving that lifelong learning has no expiry date.

Spann Sowers, now 71, returned to school part-time in 2016 and earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies with a focus on women’s ministry from W.L. Bonner College. Meanwhile, Sowers Scott earned her master’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from National University. Talk about a dynamic duo!

When asked by USA Today about her decision to return to school, Spann Sowers said, “I still felt like I needed to learn some more. Just don’t [ever] think that you’re done because you’re 70 or 80 or even 25.” Wise words indeed.

Both women had accomplished careers under their belts before returning to the classroom, but they were considered “non-traditional learners” by their peers and professors. However, they were welcomed with open arms and felt fully supported during their studies.

Sowers Scott, who served in the military for 27 years before retiring in 2019, noted that going back to school as an adult learner presented some unique challenges, especially during the 2020 pandemic when the entire program was virtual. But she persevered, saying, “Just the stresses of life alone was just a concern for me because we didn’t know what was coming…was my biggest concern.”

Spann Sowers had her own worries about re-joining the academic world after struggling with illness and losing her hearing in one ear from brain surgery. But she didn’t let fear hold her back, saying, “Don’t give up your journey, whatever you want…The passion was there all the time. I was afraid at first, but then I started going forward and I didn’t feel the fear anymore.”

It’s never too late to learn something new. Take a leaf out of these two incredible women’s books and never stop exploring. As Spann Sowers put it, “Don’t give up your journey, whatever you want.”