OUR MISSION

To create a culture of empowerment that changes how universities, communities and society as a whole respond to and support Student-Moms across the nation.

THE BABY STEPS STORY

It began over 30 years ago when Michelle, a junior at Auburn University, and her boyfriend, Matt, found themselves pregnant. With fear and anxiety, Michelle felt that finishing her degree and having her baby was impossible. Because of this belief, she made the decision to terminate her pregnancy and continue with her plans for the future. After graduation, Matt and Michelle got married as planned.

As years went by, they realized how a seemingly small decision impacted their life and the lives of others in immense ways. 12 years later, after much healing, they began sharing their story. Their eyes were opened to an overlooked, isolated population of people in desperate need of support. They felt an unceasing call to do something more. This is when the idea of Baby Steps was born.

As with anything worth doing in life, doubt slips in from time to time. A needed affirmation came in the spring of 2013. In a moment of uncertainty that Baby Steps was truly needed, Kaitlyn Willing (current Baby Steps Director of Operations) dropped into Michelle’s lap. Kaitlyn shared that just two and a half years earlier, as a junior at Auburn University, she experienced her own unplanned pregnancy. She shared the same fears and lack of support Michelle experienced many years prior. While Kaitlyn decided to parent her child and finish her degree, the lack of support made graduating almost impossible.

Kaitlyn not only affirmed the concept of Baby Steps as an organization but also helped build Baby Steps by providing unique insight to what life like as a Student-Mom on a college campus.

Although very different, Kaitlyn and Michelle’s journeys continue to be the inspiration that fuels our desire to create a space where young women are not defined by their circumstances but are empowered to thrive in all areas of their lives. In 2019, Michelle made Baby Steps her full-time job as Executive Director and has been striving each day to empower Student-Moms to persevere as both students and mothers.

2023 Baby Steps Golden Gala