Pregnant Women Need Not Apply

It's two weeks before you're about to give birth and your boss lets you know that another thing will take place in two weeks; your final day being employed.

If Karma is a bitch, simply because it repays bad for bad, then wouldn't Karma also reward one with good when they've done the same?

It's the mother of all predicaments, and for Dawn Delvo who had been in the music business in Nashville for just three short and exciting years, having that internal gnawing feeling that it was time to make a move toward advancing came just prior to another thing that was happening from within.

The desire to advance is often fueled by dreams and passion, but when a woman finds out that within her is something that will change her future, she can believe that it will add a couple forks to the path she was on, that once appeared so straight.

Actress Jessica Lange said, "The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children."

And Dawn's mother did that for her, when she and Dawn's dad believed in her enough to make the trip from Bismarck ND to bring Dawn to Nashville, encouraging her to chase the unknown. Dawn hit the ground running, landing at a PR firm, working with music artists in the role of publicity and marketing, which is where she was for more than three years when that need to do more, learn more and grow more first hit her.

Expect the Unexpected

And then a series of events would rock her world, one being when she lost the rock in her life; her mother who passed away in November of 2009. And the next coming only a couple months later, the shocking news that she was pregnant.

The good news was that Dawn had a great friendship and working relationship with her boss, so sharing her situation over a casual walk would at least land on ears of compassion and all would soon be good in the world again.

Because of her years of loyalty, Dawn would first seek advancement internally not just because a second mouth to feed would add to her daily expenditure, but because she knew she was doing good work; and if that wasn't an option, she'd ask permission to seek employment elsewhere.

"Stop telling people you're having a baby," her boss responded, "It will close doors for you, personally and professionally."

Not to Be Confused with Boss Baby

Permission to look elsewhere, granted. So, she did, but the doors weren't opening and the worries from those first few days and weeks as she wrestled with the advice of her peers concerning alternatives to childbirth which would allow Dawn to be the single-focus of attention in her own life again, would pop into her mind from time to time.

But despite the struggle, Dawn was secure in the peace that her decision was made and as the seventh month arrived and no new jobs had shown themselves, Dawn sent emails to everybody and anybody she knew in Music City and finally this time, someone took notice of her efforts; her boss.

"Why am I getting calls from people asking if everything is okay with my business?" Her boss asked. "You do realize nobody is going to hire you this late in pregnancy!"

Then seven months quickly turned to two weeks before due date and Dawn and her boss would dine that evening, Dawn still hopeful for a promotion to which she was bold enough to address.

The Shifting

"Uh, yeah that's an interesting segue-way because I'm not going to be able to meet your salary requirement," her boss said and with that and a mention to a severance package, Dawn recognized her time there was coming to an end.

"For your last two weeks, I need you to come in and train your replacement."

"My sister flew in to be with me a few days before my Monday due date and was there on my final day of employment," Dawn recalled. That Friday, she had a checkup with the doctor and an interview at Black River Entertainment, a record label on music row that was going through a restructuring.

The CEO, Gordon Kerr, who was new to Nashville, still traveling back and forth from his home in Buffalo, asked Dawn a question that sparked emotion, "Who is your hero?"

The Invisible Cape

And in that moment Dawn could only think of her mother, a selfless woman who gave up all to make sure that her children could fulfill their dreams, and as she gave honor to her mom, the waterworks began, and she attempted to shift blame for the reaction.

"I am so sorry," she said, "but my mom recently passed away and I'm about to have a baby..."

"Well, Don't Have One Now!!" Gordon kidded as he cut her off.

Dawn regained her composure, and fired back with humor, "Do you like this chair?"

She drove away from the interview, feeling that her opportunities were still none as the job appeared out of her league, bigger than anything she had ever deserved, despite her best effort. And now it was time to see her OBGYN, an appointment which would erase any thought of the meeting at Black River.

Like That Pen in Men in Black

It was revealed that Dawn had preeclampsia, which can be harmful both to mom and child, so without delay, the process to induce was underway and after what had to feel like the longest day in history, Dawn's world was no longer hers as at 3:42 a.m., a baby girl had entered the sphere of reality, and Dawn had joined her hero in the role of motherhood.

Two weeks after delivery, Black River Entertainment would host a gathering at the barn at Loveless Café in Nashville, and with her sister holding down the fort, Dawn dressed the part and darted for the opportunity to be social, where her and Gordon Kerr had their second face to face.

"What are you doing here?" Gordon asked, more like a concerned father than a stern executive.

Before Dawn could answer, he continued, "You know you have the job, right?"

"No!" she said with surprise.

"Well you do, now go home!" which was no longer advice but the first directive from her new boss, to which she listened.

Reaping and Sowing

Karma Isn't Always A Bitch

Black River Entertainment's restructuring would be mind-blowingly successful as shared in this link from the Tennessean, which describes the atmosphere of their workplace 'as a tight-knit family.'

Dawn would get to experience the success firsthand, lending her skills in new media, overseeing content, messaging and E-Commerce, but within 90 days was promoted into the familiar role of Publicity and Marketing.

Now, nearly eight years later, Dawn serves as the Head of Media & Public Relations for the entertainment company.

"You realize nobody is going to hire you this late in pregnancy?"

That's one memo Black River Entertainment didn't get.

The feet of Dawn's daughter are often heard running up and down the halls as BRE has been a safe and welcoming place for her to visit and spend time, when necessary, so that when she gets older, she too will answer the question about heroism with the words, "my mother."

See Dawn and her daughter at Black River Entertainment in the early days
See them now
Life is Good