Caring for Community
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Life just doesn't feel right for Sadie McDonald…
…unless she's doing something for someone other than herself. After all, she has spent most of her 23 years serving community in one way or another.
McDonald was raised and eventually adopted by a family that made service part of its daily routine. McDonald's mother took care of Sadie and her four siblings while serving as president of a soup kitchen in their hometown of Charleston, W. Va. Her father, a lawyer, often did pro- bono work for criminal clients and flood victims. She also attended a Catholic school that made community service a requirement for advancement to the next grade.
So, it seems natural that she would choose one of the most grueling public service jobs in our society today. She became a police officer. And she loves it.
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McDonald started learning about the legal system at a young age, with some help from her dad. She and her siblings were often recruited to be jurors or judges for cases he was working on. He taught her how to argue, especially if she wanted her way. More than anything, McDonald credits her parents for teaching her that there is no one right way to live life.
As a Greensboro City police officer, McDonald needs to keep an open mind to do her job well. "People fill out a lot of different categories. Just because they live in city housing doesn't mean they don't have a college degree. You have to figure out how to speak to each person without insulting them or getting them lost in what you're saying."
Although McDonald finds her profession demanding, she is proud to be a strong woman in a strong role.
"I feel like I am making a difference in people's lives. When I am out on a call and a little girl sees me, maybe she will think about having a future — here's a woman and she's a police officer and she can kick butt. I pray that helping at least one child in my life will be enough."