One of the things I've always known about myself is that I did want to grow up and be a mommy. I had a tough time when the kids left ‘cause I was like, “The only job wanted is gone.” [laughs] Everything for me was go to college, get married, have kids and everything else was secondary for me though I—that’s what I always wanted to do is raise a family so I’ve been lucky that I’ve been able to do it. I know a lot of women who have to take work in jobs they don’t want to do in order to put food on the table. I mean it’s one thing if you’ve got a job that you enjoy or that you want to do, but just to work to make ends meet is tough.
Laura Caswell was born in White Plains, New York in 1961 to a Roman Catholic family of Irish and Italian descent. Upon finishing her first year of college at Rutgers University, she learned she was pregnant and made the decision to abandon her studies and marry her boyfriend at the age of 19. Laura and her husband had three sons. At the age of 37, Laura and her husband divorced and she began working as a computer programmer. She is currently employed at the Information Technology center at Worcester State University in Worcester, Massachusetts as a computer programmer. In this interview, Laura discusses her love of being a stay at home mother, her struggles with returning to school and work after years of being a homemaker, her volunteer work, as well as her disillusionment with the Catholic Church and her views on varying issues like abortion. In addition, although Laura admits to having had many difficulties, she repeatedly asserts that she has no regrets over her decisions. In this interview, Laura also advises other women to appreciate the importance of family as well as education and she especially stresses the value of being able to support oneself.