Meet Eugenia Brown, an Active member of the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. and a member at large on the Board of Directors. She has her own brand called, Beer Chick which is a personal blog existing to celebrate, empower and connect people who share a love of beer. Learn more about Eugenia below.
Q: Tell me about yourself
A: I was born in Greenville, NC but I grew up primarily in Raleigh, NC. I am the middle child and have an older brother and younger sister. Growing up, I felt like I experienced the best of both worlds. My mom’s family is from Englewood, New Jersey (North) and my dad’s family is from Castalia, NC (South). When I was younger, I used to lie and tell people my mom had me while she was on vacation visiting NC. New Jersey has always felt like home to me in my mind and I would say personality wise, I am a true Northerner. My grandparents lived in NJ over half of my life, so I always spent holidays and summer vacations there. One of the things I love most about NJ is that we don’t have to pump our own gas.
Q: What have you gotten from the Junior League?
A: The Junior League has played a huge part in my life already. I can already tell I’ve made some life-long friends, grown professionally, and made a huge impact on the communities we serve. One of the things I am most grateful for are the friendships I’ve made. It was through these relationships, that I found the courage to step out on faith and put myself out there. Volunteering has always been important to me. However, being a part of the League makes my impact that much greater.
Q: What have you given to the Junior League?
A: I can’t stress enough to others how much membership in the League is a two-way street. I’ve gotten a lot out of the League, but I think in return I have also given a lot. I am extremely passionate about our mission and vision and I can’t stress enough, just how much I value the work we do. I am literally a walking billboard for the JLC. I would say one of the most important things I give the League is my time. I am dedicated to jumping in and helping whenever I am needed. Whether it’s donating food for a food drive, showing up at Samaritan’s Feet on a Saturday, or simply keeping people encouraged, I am always willing to show up and give of myself when the JLC calls.
Q: How has the Junior League helped to develop your potential?
A: I think the JLC has helped to develop my potential by first and foremost helping me to build my confidence. As women, a lot of times we don’t want to admit that we have insecurities. In the League, we are truly surrounded by some of the movers and shakers in our community. While to some, this may seem intimidating, to me it just makes me want to “level up” even more. The League is constantly reminding me to challenge myself and walk confidently in the directions of my dreams. Some of the organizations we support today were founded by our very own League members. Being in an organization that provides training and professional development opportunities is critical to my personal and professional life. I am grateful that in the JLC so much of what we are exposed to overlaps.
Q: What motivates you to work hard?
A: I don’t really have a lot of family that I am close to, but my brother and sister mean the world to me. They motivate me more than anything. Nothing in life has ever been handed to me. I’ve worked extremely hard for everything I have, and I think ultimately just wanting a better life for myself and my siblings is what motivates me to work hard.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
A: Graduating college. I am a first-generation college student. I didn’t have a road map, a plan, or even anyone to truly help me through it. I lost count of the amount of times I just wanted to drop out and call it quits. Not because I couldn’t do it, simply because I felt like I didn’t have the support to finish, and I felt like family obligations were more important. I can’t imagine my life now if I didn’t have that experience. I can’t stress enough how exposure to things can change your whole life.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your career?
A: I currently work in mental health and I think my favorite thing about my career is simply being a mental health advocate. I always see things through a mental health lens, and my number one priority is always the health and well being of the individuals we serve. Living with a mental illness can be challenging, but I work everyday to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental health. Seeing people get the services and support they need in times of trouble is what truly makes my heart smile.
Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I know how to brew beer. I don’t think I look like the “type of girl” that would be into “craft beer” but it is a huge passion of mine.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Visiting breweries and trying new beer. Blogging. Traveling to new places. Painting. Hula hooping. Volunteering. Reading romance novels. Trying new restaurants. Writing poetry. Watching the Hallmark channel.
Q: How do you think your friends would describe you?
A: I think my friends would describe me as loving, passionate, outgoing, free-spirited, adventurous and assertive. While I have a very loving demeanor and I never meet a stranger, they would probably say I’m direct and very opinionated. I love laying in the grass and talking about feelings, but I also like using logic and thinking pragmatically. Ultimately, I think most of my friends would call me an enigma because I rarely, if ever, fit into boxes.
