For this week’s Woman Wednesday, AY About You sits down with Presley Turner, attorney and co-partner of Turner & Rasch, Attorneys.
In addition to being an attorney, Turner is also a licensed social worker with a master’s in public administration.
“I currently work as a parent counsel attorney, attorney ad litem, and practice family and child welfare law at Turner & Rasch,” Turner says. “I’m originally from Texas, but I now live in Conway with my husband, Ryan, and dog, Rylee. I like to spend time with family and work on trauma-informed professional development training through my company, the Center for Advocacy and Awareness. I created a national credentialed program for emotional abuse advocacy. I spend a lot of time working on that program as well as keeping up to date with my specialized individual trauma certification and creating my new brand, the Trauma-Informed Lawyer. When I’m not working on those projects, I’m volunteering with Junior League of Little Rock and New Leaders Council or watching Netflix. I’m also currently learning how to wake surf!”
We asked Turner what it means to her to be a woman.
“I think being a woman means being strong,” she says. “I am surrounded by incredible, powerful women, and the first thing to come to my mind when I talk to them is ‘strength’ and ‘grace.’”
We asked Turner what challenges she has faced as a woman in her career.
“The biggest issue I’ve had is clients not wanting to hire me because I’m a woman,” she says. “It has only happened a few times but it hurt each time. I also think as a woman I get complimented more on my appearance than my professional abilities.”
Turner offers a word of advice to the young women and girls who might read this article.
“I would say follow your dreams, no matter how big, and surround yourself with people that love you,” she says. “Don’t waste time and energy on people or projects that don’t make you a better person!”
Photos courtesy Presley Turner.
READ MORE: Woman Wednesday: Sydney Rasch
