Tina Pollard’s journey from a high‑school senior in Saginaw, Michigan, to a community leader in Tarrant County began with a chance encounter on senior skip day. While looking for a restroom in a federal building, she asked a military recruiter for directions. The recruiter offered her an aptitude test, and his words – “You’re going to the Army… I’ll be your mentor till you graduate and get you all the way to entry day” – changed her life.
Service in the Army
Pollard enlisted in 1985, completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and served as a 71 Lima administrative specialist. As a battalion clerk she handled orders, transfers and award documents for up to 1,000 soldiers, a responsibility she describes as “a lot of weight.” The experience taught her precision, discipline and the ability to serve people from all backgrounds.
From Michigan to Texas
After her three‑year enlistment ended in 1989, Pollard returned to Michigan, worked in Grand Rapids Public Schools, and rose from paraprofessional to human‑resources technician. Seeking new horizons, she pursued a marketing degree, moved to Texas on what she calls a “leap of faith,” and graduated from Davenport University. She later served as an assistant youth director and marketing director for a Texas church.
Flight Attendant and Entrepreneur
At age 52, Pollard tapped the resilience she honed in the military to become a flight attendant with American Airlines in 2013. After years of traveling, she settled back in Texas in 2020, ready for another pivot.
Wings of Worth
In 2023, following the sudden loss of her nephew and brother, Pollard channeled her grief into purpose. She founded Wings of Worth, a nonprofit that offers family‑oriented workshops, mentorship and youth events. “Everything I went through can be purposeful now,” she says, emphasizing that her obedience to God has guided every step.
Faith at the Core
Pollard describes her service as “obedience to God.” She credits her faith for the perseverance that carried her from a challenging childhood – visiting an incarcerated father and helping a single mother – to a life of public service. “I choose obedience,” she affirms. “I let love lead me, hope guide me, and joy fill me.”
Pollard’s story illustrates how discipline, resilience and Christian faith can transform personal hardship into community impact, offering a hopeful example for families across Texas.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
