From a former Californian inmate to being accepted at Skyline’s Biotechnology program, 50-year-old Leyla Pepper leads a life nothing short of admirable.
Pepper was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. With her father having a military background, Pepper and her family relocated several times, exposing her to diverse areas all around, including New Mexico, Texas, and overseas to England and Germany. Her previous careers included serving her community as a teacher and registered nurse.
“It gave me a lot of stress, but I enjoy being helpful to others,” says Pepper.
But despite her credibility in the teaching and nursing field, Pepper’s life derailed to destitution. She openly discloses her tribulations on her blog website http://leylapepper.blogspot.com/. With a summation of addiction, sexual abuse, and “several terrible choices,” Pepper found herself unemployed with no health insurance, eventually leading to her living homeless on the streets.
Moreover, after 14 years of sobriety, Pepper had relapsed, which she reveals was a major contribution to hitting rock-bottom. Shortly after, she was arrested for an act of fraudulence and was sentenced to 19 months at the Valley State Prison for Women in California.
“I did something out of desperation. I lost everything.”
Although her beginning months in prison left Pepper alone and petrified, her seclusion facilitated her fear to evolve to inner strength she never knew she had. “I was scared for a really long time…I had nothing to rely on but my spirituality.”
Despite the apparent hardships in prison, Pepper admits that her time as an inmate served its own purpose, “I learned the importance of compassion…it was a definite highlight in my life.” With that, she began a mission to foster her lessons and principles of benevolence with others.
After her release, Pepper began the small steps of rehabilitation. She got in touch with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Sisters of Mercy at the Catherine’s Center of San Mateo, a group dedicated to seeking justice and compassion around the world. Furthermore, she desired to expand her active role in society.
With a background in nursing, she decided to stay with a profession along the terms of healthcare. Pepper later discovered Skyline’s Biotechnology program, a curriculum specifically designed to prepare others to work in the bioscience industry, including clinical laboratories in hospitals, government, universities, and independent settings. Pepper applied for the Biotech program, and is now a currently enrolled student. “It was the next step for me to find a way to help others.”
Today, Pepper continues to enjoy discovering life’s greatest pleasures, including mountain climbing, travel, dating, and staying in touch with her spirituality. With the support of the Sisters of Mercy at the Catherine’s Center of San Mateo, Skyline’s Biotechnology program, and her sincere wish to spread compassion to others, Leyla Pepper once again has gained control of her life and her aspirations.
