2019 Tillman Scholar

Angela Layfield

Military Spouse
Fordham University
MSW

“I have learned that one of the greatest privileges in life is to come alongside another person in their suffering.”

Service has always been central to Angela’s family culture. Her husband joined the Navy following Sept. 11. Together they spent time serving at orphanages in Mexico and Kenya, and in 2011, having no biological children of their own, became licensed foster parents. Angela’s eyes were opened to the impact trauma can have in the mind, body and spirit of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Angela became a fierce advocate for her children, researching therapy and treatment options and advocating for services to meet each unique need and challenge.

Angela’s experience as a foster parent has inspired her to pursue a vocation providing trauma-informed care and therapy to children and adolescents who have experienced abuse and neglect. She is working on her Master’s in Social Work at Fordham University, exploring how a holistic approach of providing trauma survivors the right therapy for their needs, along with helping them find joy, passion and connection to family and community can move them toward a life of peace and health. Additionally, utilizing her Master of Music degree and 17 years of professional experience as a music educator, she would like to study the incorporation of music as a therapeutic tool for recovery. Angela has learned that one of the highest privileges in life is to come alongside another person in their suffering. She is beyond grateful for that privilege.