Layers of Life
In managing motherhood, law, and academia, Professor Kelsey Truxal exemplifies versatility.
Her journey highlights women's challenges in similar roles, honoring their resilience and strength.
Her journey highlights women's challenges in similar roles, honoring their resilience and strength.
On Monday morning, April 8th, Kelsey Truxal measures out medicine for her son, Luke, who had a swollen hand due to a wasp bite. She had taken him to the emergency room the day before.
“Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for.”
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
Before World War II and the iconic Rosie the Riveter poster, women's roles in society were relatively fixed: finding love, marrying, raising children, managing the household, and being a stay-at-home mom. However, times have changed, and now women are expected to fulfill all these traditional roles while also pursuing a career. What does the modern-day woman’s role look like? Professor Kelsey Truxal exemplifies this balancing act.
As a wife, mother, professor, and lawyer, she faces the challenges of juggling these responsibilities.“People don’t realize that this pressure on women is happening and they don’t recognize the constant battle we’re going through, but as mothers, we don't want to be the ones to speak up because we don't want to be misinterpreted as complaining,” said Truxal. A week in Professor Truxal's life is no easy feat. It showcases how this balancing act works and allows viewers to gain a deeper insight into how women are the true foundation of a functioning society.
Before waking up her kids during the week, Kelsey fixes her hair and makeup so that she doesn’t have to worry about it afterward. “It’s been months since my last haircut because I simply don’t have the time,” said Kelsey.
In Professor Truxal’s Women and Politics class, she educates her students about both the progress women have made over time and how far they have left to go. Influential women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg did not get to their level of success by simply standing silent. They put in twice the work as their male counterparts to simply earn a seat at the same table. Professor Truxal's story resonates with many who watched their mothers struggle with balancing both a career and motherhood.
Before her son’s soccer game on Saturday, Kelsey prioritizes spending time playing with her kids in the morning. “These are memories they will cherish and keep with them forever. You only get one chance to raise your kids,” said Kelsey.
Kelsey's week is a whirlwind, leaving little time for herself. In regards to how it has affected her, Kelsey said, “I have had to learn a lot of self-forgiveness. My mantra right now is, ‘Done is better than perfect’.” Each weekday starts early at 6 AM, with just a brief half-hour of solitude before she rouses her youngest, 2-year-old Sarah. After getting Sarah ready and sent off with the babysitter at 7 AM, Kelsey wakes her two sons, 10-year-old Daniel and 5-year-old Luke. Once they're ready, she drops them off at school by 8 AM. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Kelsey heads to WKU, where she teaches in the Political Science Department.
Kelsey teaches a Family Law course on Tuesdays and Thursdays at WKU, where she is an Associate Professor in the Political Science Department. “The great thing about being a teacher is they learn from you and in turn, you learn from them as well,” said Kelsey.
But the kids' schedules don't end there, which is why mothers are extremely flexible. Mondays mean Daniel's acting class and Saturdays are all about Luke's soccer games. Wednesdays are busy too; Kelsey recently co-hosted the Inaugural Lawlapalooza at White Squirrel Brewery, an event sponsored by the WKU Mock Trial team, which she advises. At the end of the day, when the kids go to bed at 8, Truxal often stays up until 10 grading papers. Come summer, Kelsey will also start working for the Bowling Green Public Defender’s office.
Throughout the week, Kelsey never seems to stop, which seems to be a common theme of motherhood. Whether it's multitasking in the morning, folding laundry while getting the kids ready, or grading papers during Daniel's acting class, she's always on the move. When asked about the hardest part of balancing motherhood and a career, Kelsey said, “It’s the idea of feeling like you’re not doing enough for either. You constantly think, ‘I could be a better mom or I could be a better professor’. As mothers, we are our toughest critics. Due to this mindset, I overcompensate on both to try to make up for any shortcomings”.
Throughout the week, Kelsey never seems to stop, which seems to be a common theme of motherhood. Whether it's multitasking in the morning, folding laundry while getting the kids ready, or grading papers during Daniel's acting class, she's always on the move. When asked about the hardest part of balancing motherhood and a career, Kelsey said, “It’s the idea of feeling like you’re not doing enough for either. You constantly think, ‘I could be a better mom or I could be a better professor’. As mothers, we are our toughest critics. Due to this mindset, I overcompensate on both to try to make up for any shortcomings”.
Kelsey talks with attendees at the Inaugural Lawlapalooza that she helped co-host on Wednesday evening, April 17th. The donations taken during the event help support the WKU Mock Trial team whom Kelsey is an advisor for.
Being a mother is no easy feat, but Truxal doesn’t use her children as an excuse not to perform her duties in her career. “My kids are never an excuse, they are an explanation,” said Truxal. When deciding between private practice and teaching, the choice was easy. “Being a professor combines my love of the law with my love of motherhood. I feel as if a lot of my students need that love, patience, and grace,” said Truxal. “ I want students to leave my class with a good foundation of the law and the ability to know the basics when it comes to trials that are relevant and occurring today.”
"My kids are never an excuse, they are an explanation."
Kelsey brushes her daughter Sarah’s teeth every morning before they leave the house, whether they are on the way to the babysitter or to a soccer game. “Girls are so fun to raise. I see pieces of myself in her,” said Kelsey.
Thankfully, Truxal does not have to bear these responsibilities alone. Her husband of 5 years, Josh, is equally involved with raising their kids. Just a few weeks ago, Josh had to take a whole week off from work when they were looking for a new babysitting option for Sarah. While Josh's support is invaluable, it's important to note that the burden of balancing motherhood and a career often falls disproportionately on women. Women are often held to a tougher standard as parents, expected to excel in both their professional and family lives without any compromise.
Kelsey embraces her son Luke and tells him how good of a job he did after he wraps up his soccer game at Auburn Park on Saturday, April 20th.
If Truxal could talk to her 22-year-old self, she would say, “Don’t worry about other people. I was so hard on myself and on my oldest, Daniel. I felt that I had to prove everyone wrong that said I wasn’t going to be able to accomplish my goals because I was a young mom. Every mistake I’ve made in motherhood is because I second-guessed myself and was worrying about what other people thought.”
"Every mistake I’ve made in motherhood is because I second-guessed myself and was worrying about what other people thought."
Kelsey grades papers while attending her son, Daniel’s acting class which takes place every Monday at XClaim Theatre. “He’s always dancing while he’s up there, it makes me laugh,” said Kelsey.
To quote 22-year-old Kelsey in the 2014 College Heights Herald article “In My Skin: Student Balances Classwork and Motherhood,” “Life’s not going to end when you have a baby, it’ll just change a lot and it’s so fun.” Looking back on that article, Kelsey says, “I stand by everything I said. You discover more about yourself by having kids and it’s the hardest and best job I’ve ever had in my life.”
Kelsey embraces her husband, Josh, as they watch a performer on stage during Lawlapalooza at White Squirrel Brewery. Josh attended the event to support Kelsey and witness the fruition of her hard work.
"You discover more about yourself by having kids and it’s the hardest and best job I’ve ever had in my life.”
