For the six oldest Lawrence sisters, aged 19 to 25, life took an unexpected turn when they found themselves experiencing homelessness for an entire decade after losing their family home.
In 2013, the sisters’ parents, David and Yonette, lost their home in Queens, New York City. From then on, the family moved from one relative or friend’s house to another, they told People.
Despite the challenging circumstances of their upbringing, these determined young women refused to let adversity deter them from their pursuit of higher education and their dream of becoming nurses.
All six sisters were homeschooled, successfully obtained their GEDs, and continued their academic journey in college, where they earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Health. Undeterred, they are currently working towards their Master’s Degrees in Public Health at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and have plans to enroll in nursing school.
The Lawrence sisters, in an interview with People, credited their unbreakable bond for sustaining them through immense challenges. Their collective goal is to complete their nursing degrees and use their education to serve their community.
Throughout the turbulent period of their lives, their father, David, was a constant source of inspiration, encouraging them to pursue higher education and never let their circumstances hinder their dreams.
He expressed his pride in their collective achievements, emphasizing the importance of adapting to life’s challenges and persevering.
“I’m so happy they’ve done this together,” their dad said. “I always tell them, ‘Life’s not fair. And when it throws you a curveball, you gotta adjust to it and keep going.’”
The journey was tough for the Lawrence sisters.
“It was challenging,” said 24-year-old Lauren. “There were a lot of very bumpy, depressing times.”
25-year-old Dominique commends their father for doing a great job.
“He didn’t want what we were going through to hold us back,” she said.
Indeed, the Lawrence sisters defied the odds. In 2019, all six earned their GEDs. They then attended Nassau Community College and later graduated from SUNY Old Westbury with bachelor’s degrees in public health in May.
“It’s been quite an adventure,” said 22-year-old Danielle. “But what really pulled us through is our faith in God and in each other.”
