Retired police officer Yolanda Brewer discusses the importance of mentorship

Many people describe finding their passion as something they knew they loved right away. That wasn't the case for Yolanda Brewer. The retired Chicago police officer said, "I was nervous. That first day I'm sitting there and I'm thinking to myself, 'Hmm ... this is not for me.'" However, there was a little voice telling her that she actually was meant to take on this role.

A single parent to two daughters, it wasn't an easy feat — but they're the reason she did it. Brewer said she wanted her children to have the childhood she didn't have. While on the force, she found that not all of the men wanted to work with women, which took her by surprise. Brewer pointed out that the industry is still very male-dominated, and though more women are joining, they aren't rising through the ranks as quickly. She founded a program called The Law and Your Community and is the executive director of the Band of Law Enforcement Mentorship. Brewer is currently an Investigator with the Cook County State’s Attorney's Office.

"My focus is to educate our young ladies," she said. "I hope that they can be all that they want to be."

Listen to her talk about the importance of mentorship in the video below: