Dr. Vanessa P. Girard is mixed race (mother-French, black, white, Native American and father-Honduran, Mayan Indian), born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She and her siblings struggled with identity throughout adolescence, being teased by their African American brother-in-law that they didn’t “have a flag.” Her work with a Native American tribe in Arizona sparked a passion to learn about mono-cultural perspectives, with hopes that the quest would lead to self-discovery...she found that her multiethnic heritage has provided her with an extraordinary ability to empathize and relate across races, and in that realization, she feels more accepted by others…“I am not Black, or White, or Hispanic, or Native American; I am all of them and that’s okay!” 

Her experience working with children of all ages from infant to 18 has also taught her that self-esteem and identity are not automatic; all children struggle at one point in their lives to fit in. All want to belong, and all tend (briefly or extensively) to covet a trait, status, or talent perceived in others. Her books attempt to minimize such tendencies and encourage the reader to embrace self unconditionally!

Dr. Girard has worked in education for more than 28 years as a teacher, dean, community educator, assistant director of education and daycare director. She has presented her doctoral study on leadership and diversity across the country and in Amsterdam, to favorable reviews. She has authored several books on diversity, applying the findings from her study to various age groups. 

She possesses a B.A. in Education with an English major, an M.A. in Education (counseling), and a doctorate in management and organizational leadership. She currently resides near her daughter and granddaughters in Texas.