Meet Our Senior Accountant: Interview with Harmony Healthcare’s Tammy Hawthorne
She’s got a full plate here at Harmony, but she always finds time to share an endearing story or two. She cherishes her family, she strives each day to move forward in her career and in her education, and she is proud of what her children continue to accomplish.
Without further ado, here’s Tammy in her own words.
Tell us a story about yourself that may surprise us.
As a child I was crowned twice: once as a princess and the following year as queen of The First Born Church of the Living God South Florida division. There was even a crowning ceremony. I had to do a little tour, and I hated it!
It meant that I was always in church with very little time to play outside with my friends. I had to stand in front of a church congregation and give a speech. And I had to wear stockings – they itched like the devil! The tour included my mom and me as well as other church members visiting more churches. As a kid in the summer, you just wanted to play with your toys and cousins til the porch lights came on.
Give your teenage self your best advice in 150 words or less.
The best advice that I could give my teenage self is to stay away from people who don’t have her best interests at heart. I would also tell Teenage Tammy to never stop trying to achieve her dreams. Yes, things will happen that she didn’t plan for, but that’s OK. Her parents may be upset for a moment, but they will always have her back. No one is perfect. She still has plenty of time and opportunities to go out into the world, make a difference, and bring her dreams to life.
Shonda Rhimes sees pop culture potential in your life story. She wants to turn it into her next TV series. Who plays you, who plays your closest confidant, and why?
I’d like to portray myself because as my granddad used to say they broke the mold when I was born. But I’d enjoying seeing Nia Long play me on TV alongside my daughter playing my confidant. She’s my very own mini me. Our personalities are so similar, and that’s one thing that keeps us close. When I get upset with her, I have to tell myself to let it go because whatever she does or says is something that I would do or say myself.
What’s on your goal list to achieve within the next 3 years?
Within the next 3 years, I would like to be a first-time homeowner. I had the opportunity recently to look at a few properties, but the timing just wasn’t right. The right home is out there though, and the perfect timing – and the low interest rates – will come together so I can make this dream come true.
I would also like to return to school to complete my bachelor’s in accounting. This has been heavy on my mind ever since I attended my daughter’s college graduation last December.
Create the soundtrack to your life in 5 songs. Why did you choose those songs?
- “Don’t Kill My Vibe” by Kendrick Lamar
- “Party Up” by DMX
- “Thank Him” by Deitrick Haddon & The Voices of Unity
- “All Things Through Christ” by Earnest Pugh
- “Close” by Marvin Sapp
I chose the first 2 songs because they are reminders to keep my life free of negativity. They also remind me to speak up for myself when I feel negative vibes coming my way.
I chose the last 3 songs because I am a work in process. Everything that I have been given and accomplished in life is because of God. He has guided and protected me all my life, and these songs lift Him and His work up.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in the last 5 years?
To stay true to myself and never let anyone steal my joy. Hallelujah!
In the workplace, I’ve also learned that it does not matter what you learned at your previous job. Your new employer will want to show you their way. Adapt and learn it the new way first to show you can. Then, wait a month or so and present a new process or approach to show you care about improving.
You can take one suitcase, $5,000 and one travel buddy. Where are you heading, who are you taking along for the ride, and why?
With $5,000 to spend, I’d get tickets for my best friend Tarsha and me to travel to France. I’d try to sneak my cousin Dianna in my suitcase so we could all 3 have an amazing girls trip! While we weren’t searching for our celebrity crush Idris Elba, I’d spend my time hitting up the latest fashion shows and taking them shopping.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be, and why?
If I had one superpower, it would be to time travel. I would love to go back and spend more quality time with my mom and paternal grandparents. I would visit my childhood summers of doing nothing but playing with my cousins in the front yard. I’d cherish the times I spent waiting for my granddad to drive past the house so that I could convince him to take me to get ice cream.
