As a 40-year-old mother, Norma Hernandez strives to give to her children the love that eluded her as a child.
Growing up in a small neighborhood North East of Los Angeles called El Sereno, Hernandez was raised by a single mother who ruled with an iron fist.  
“She made Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest look weak,” says Hernandez. “My worst memories growing up was being told by my mother that I was worthless.”
But outside of the house, it was a different story for Hernandez.
She won writing awards in school and was praised by her teachers.
“Two teachers in elementary school that inspired me were Mrs. Yamamoto in the 3rd grade and Mr. Risch in 6th grade. It was the only time I heard the words “exceptional” and “outstanding” all geared towards me,” said Hernandez. Besides writing, Hernandez was always interested in law. She planned to attend college to pursue a career in law enforcement. But at 18 years old, her plans took an unexpected turn as she gave birth to her first son, Daniel. “It was extremely difficult having Daniel so young, especially due to my dysfunctional upbringing.  How do I love and nurture him when I was never shown?” said Hernandez. “In the past, I joked with Daniel saying he was my “guinea pig” baby – learning how to be a parent through trial and error.” But it was through this unprepared, emotional journey that Hernandez learned how to love, protect, appreciate and accept.
“It wasn’t instant by any stretch of the imagination as I am certain Daniel will confess to but eventually my maternal instincts kicked in,” she says. Hoping to provide a foundation for her son and herself, Hernandez worked the graveyard shift for a freight company while at the same time attending Fresno City College during the day.
She remembers taping her index cards inside of the trucks she would load to go over her school notes. “On one occasion, I was reprimanded for reading my school material on a platform where I was supposed to separate freight. They obviously never heard of multitasking,” said Hernandez.  Adding to the challenge was a child custody case she had to settle with her ex-husband. The case took six years to settle. But as a result of not giving up, Hernandez won full legal custody.
Now, she is a proud mother of Daniel, who is currently attending Fresno City College and also 12-year-old Deven, “Deven is a firecracker. He’s 12 going on 30,” says Hernandez.
After a short break from school, Hernandez returned to FCC and is currently enrolled in the Paralegal program, hoping to finish her general education and obtain a degree. “As corny as it may sound, I believe that knowledge is power. I went back to school to gain control of that power,” said Hernandez.
“I wear many hats,” she says. “I am a full-time mother, I work full-time at a criminal defense office, I go to school part-time and spend quite a bit of time in the library or online researching my school assignments. I also, have two Chihuahua terriers that keep me fit. It’s not difficult when you plan accordingly. I still am able to find time to spend with my boys.
 Hernandez also calls her boys her motivation. She strives to be their example and to show them they can accomplish anything they want through hard work and perseverance. In spite of whatever obstacles they may encounter, she wants them to remember what she has gone through. A typical day for Hernandez begins at 6:45 a.m. She takes the dogs out, drops her son off at school, and is at work by 8:00 a.m. Her lunch hours are sometimes used to run errands. After work, she picks up her son from his after-school program, comes home, and takes the dogs out with her son. Monday and Tuesday nights are reserved for her research assignments and on Wednesday nights she attends her class.
Although she has been attending the same school as her son, they have never taken a class together.
“I would not like to because I am so overprotective of him, of both my boys quite frankly. I don’t take someone teasing him so well,” said Hernandez.
Her advice to her sons and to young people in general is to never listen to someone else’s negativity. “Even if you are penniless, homeless or single with children it is possible to achieve your goals. Don’t be a product of your negative environment,” she says.
As for the key to being a great mom, she says it’s a matter of having great kids.
“I am not perfect and I would be the first to admit my faults. My boys love me unconditionally as I love them. I grew up in a negative environment. I married a negative man and feel that enough is enough,” she says. “I wanted to break free of that cycle and did. What a rush! I cannot change the past and will not allow it to define me. I tell my boys God is first, then others, then you.”