ATLANTA — As Georgia lawmakers wrapped up the special session Thursday, one representative made time to acknowledge a special guest she carried with her into the chambers.
With a newborn resting under her chin and strapped into a sling, State Rep. Lauren Daniel (R-Locust Grove) approached the podium to thank Speaker Jon Burns and Pro Tem Jan Jones for their understanding of her dual role as mother and lawmaker.
“I have brought my son with me to the Capitol every day over the past two weeks, but I want to tell you why this is so important to me personally," she said after showing appreciation to leaders.
The lawmaker recently gave birth to her fourth child, Zane, and has made it a point to bring him along as she visits different parts of the community and performs official political duties.
Zane's time on the House floor may have felt more like nap time but for his mom, it was an opportunity to communicate the journey that brought them both to that moment.
Proclaiming herself throughout her campaign as an "unapologetic mom" and "common sense conservative," Daniel shared some of her story, which led her to become a public servant.
She was 17 years old and in high school when she learned she was pregnant with her first child. Her son was born during the beginning of her senior year, she told lawmakers.
"And I was told by school administrators that I should no longer attend school in person because I was a distraction," she said. "Even further, my counselor advised me that there was no purpose in applying to college because less than 50 percent of teenage mothers ever graduate high school, much less college."
Daniel declared that she was not part of that statistic.
"However, not only did I finish high school on time, I am also part of the two percent of teenage mothers who have gone on to earn a college degree before the age of 30," she said.
According to her campaign website, Daniel graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from Georgia State University. Envisioning that she would become an English teacher one day, it was her experience as a teen mother and obtaining her degree that showed her issues within the education system and the potential for policy improvement.
Identifying herself as the youngest female member of the Georgia House and a mother of four, she said she's overcome adversity and experienced many blessings in her life. She wants others to know they can do it, too.
"It is my hope that my experiences will inspire any young female Georgian to trust and believe that her life does not end when a new one begins," she said.
Watch her full address in the video player below: