CFCC student advocates for children of domestic violence

Cape Fear Community College is more than just a school for Fee Godbolt; it is a pathway back to the freedom to pursue her passions.

Fee is currently enrolled in CFCC’s Esthetics program, where she will earn her certificate this summer. Prior to this, she graduated with her associate degree in CFCC’s Criminal Justice program this past December, an accomplishment years in the making.

To understand the gravity of this achievement, one must look back at Fee’s journey leading up to it. From a young age, Fee’s passion for beauty was evident.

“As a little girl, I was always into makeup and hair. I used to cut my Barbie’s hair and used nail polish as lipstick.”

After graduating from cosmetology school in South Carolina and co-owning a salon, life took an unexpected turn with a challenging pregnancy that led her to sell her business.

Resilience in Adversity

Fee’s journey to CFCC wasn’t just about pursuing her passion for beauty; it was also a testament to her resilience. Her path had been marked by adversity, including escaping an abusive marriage with her three young children in tow.

“I told myself I would not bring my children up in this environment. God took care of me and my children.”

Balancing Education and Parenthood

Despite the challenges she faced, Fee’s determination remained steadfast. After settling in her home state of Georgia, Fee pursued higher education, earning a certificate in paralegal studies from Clayton State University.

“I knew I eventually wanted a degree, but my children were my priority, and I needed to work to provide for them.”

Driven by a commitment to her children’s well-being, Fee worked tirelessly to provide for her family.

“I was juggling my paralegal job at a law firm during the day. I’d pick my kids up from daycare. In the evening, my neighbor would come to watch my kids and get them ready for bed while I put in some hours working at the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. And then I would work from home at night, as long as I was in bed. I didn’t stop working. It was for my children. I didn’t want them lacking anything, and they didn’t.”

“They have all these pictures of good memories they can go back and look at. I made sure of it. Children do not ask to be here. It was my responsibility to give them a happy childhood.”

A Milestone Achieved

Eventually, Fee would remarry her supportive husband of 18 years, and they would relocate to North Carolina in 2017. Completing her associate degree in criminal justice was a significant milestone in Fee’s journey.

“I came to Cape Fear to finish what I started. When I got my certificate at Clayton State University, my focus was on my children. I was happy with what I had accomplished, even if it was just part of what I wanted to do, because my children were happy and provided for. Now that they’re grown and thriving, I’m seizing the opportunity to finish what I started. Cape Fear allowed me to finish the race.”

A Vision for Change

Fee’s decision to return to school was not just about finishing what she started; it was about seizing the opportunity to pursue her long-held vision for a nonprofit organization, W.A.T.C.H. (What About the Children), dedicated to supporting children affected by domestic violence.

“I know what it’s like to leave in a hurry during a crisis, and the only thing you can think about is getting everyone to a safe place. When you finally settle down, you realize so much was left behind. I remember the feeling of not being able to get nice furniture for my babies, who were two, four, and six at the time. I’m here to tell you starting over is not easy!”

Fee’s vision for W.A.T.C.H. is to provide clothing, shoes, school supplies, bedroom furniture, decorations, and children’s favorite items that may have been left behind during the transition. She also hopes to provide tutoring, fun activities, safety training classes, and crisis intervention according to the child’s age and comprehension level.

“I’ve been told children will forget or get over it, but they don’t. Children are what they learn, and W.A.T.C.H. will assist children of DV victims and survivors to gain a sense of normalcy while experiencing a significant loss.”

Pursuing Passion

Fee found a supportive community at CFCC that embraced her journey and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. With evening esthetics classes still open, she seized the opportunity to delve back into her craft.

Eventually, Fee plans to reopen her small business, creating natural beauty products. Once she obtains her esthetics license from the NC State Board, she plans to revamp her products and offer services alongside them.

“Coming to Cape Fear Community College was part of getting back my freedom to do what I love. As a student ambassador, I’ve had the privilege of encouraging others to do the same. No matter your age or past hurdles, it’s never too late to pursue your passions and make a difference.”