Social Impact Authors: How & Why Renee Goodwin Of The GG Life Lesson Storybook Series Is Helping To Change Our World

An Interview With Edward Sylvan

… The books speak of subject matters that need to be shared and discussed helping children understand the world. The books have vocabulary words offering opportunities for additional discussions and activities for classrooms and families. The books empower children as beginner readers and the books are wonderful to read aloud.

As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Renee Goodwin.

Renee Goodwin, with her award-winning children’s books, GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ® and her undying passion for education addresses social impact topics families are encountering today and illustrates ways to seek, know, guide and inspire each other. Renee has a career in teaching, engineeering and business being awarded the 2021 Texas A&M University Aggie Women Legacy Award. She was the first woman offshore drilling engineer supervisor for British Petroleum in the Gulf of Mexico and established an oil and gas corporation which she officiated as President/CEO for 30 years.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?

I learned at an early age the importance of education as I witnessed my parents work several jobs to support our family but also attend school at night. With this dedication my father received a college degree then graduated from medical school serving as a family practitioner for over 40 years. My mother received her college degree spending her career years as a teacher, hospital facilitator and a realtor. My parents made sure throughout our early years that my siblings and I attended schools that afforded us the best education no matter the sacrifice.

I received my upper-level education at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas graduating with an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction (mathematics and chemistry). I earned an undergraduate degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and I am a Texas licensed professional engineer. I received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler.

When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?

I guess you can say I am the studious type. I spent my growing up years reading textbooks. Now through my GG Life Lessons Storybook Series ® books I can write about important social impact topics tenderly from a lighter side from the perspective of GG, a very energetic and adventurous puppy.

Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or take away did you learn from that?

Being the first woman offshore drilling engineer supervisor for British Petroleum in the Gulf of Mexico I could not afford any mistakes. My career years in the oil and gas industry have followed a demanding and serious path. Now, with my GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ® books I am able to use creativity and imagination to talk about social impact topics.

Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?

I am able to discuss social impact topics from the voice of GG, a fun-loving puppy with an interesting perspective of the world around her as she speaks in GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ® books.

Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?

Of the GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ®, in the book, GG Asks, “Is Jesus In Your Class?” — Seek, Know, Guide, Inspire, I share a story that happened years ago and I am so excited to now make the story come alive as a “GG” book. My father throughout his life (although he has gone before us) always made sure our family had a religious foundation. At the time he was conversing with my five year old nephew telling him about a boy named Jesus. My father told my nephew that Jesus was a special boy, that Jesus was the Son of God, and performed many great deeds for all people of the world. My father went on to explain that God, Jesus’s Father, gave Jesus an important job to seek and tell the world about Him, that God gave Jesus knowledge, guidance, and inspiration to fulfill this job and that Jesus respected his Father and always obeyed Him. After listening to the story, my nephew replies to my father, “No, Papa, Jesus is not in my class.”

Discussing religious foundations is a huge social impact topic that the book GG Asks, “Is Jesus In Your Class?” — Seek, Know, Guide, Inspire addresses powerfully and directly with gentle undertones.

What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?

My “aha moment” I consider “Divine Intervention.” For most of my adult life I have been busy working and taking care of family. A few years ago, my busy world seemed to stop abruptly. I was mentally not in a “happy place.” Thank goodness, GG, my cane corso puppy had entered my life. The more I watched her go from one antic to another I found myself laughing and filled with excitement. I started writing “GG” stories one after the other in my head. I ran to my office and quickly typed them in my computer. Oh, but then, what? I knew I needed to get the stories to the next step. I took the “Leap of Faith” and called a publisher (I found out later, authors just don’t call publishers and that publishers usually are not sitting by the phone waiting for an author’s call). As I said, Divine Intervention because when I called the publisher a wonderful lady answered the phone. We had a great conversation. It was like we had been friends forever. She invited me to send my manuscript for review and said she would reply back to me within 4 to 5 days. Within a few days, I received her call of acceptance and the GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ® began.

GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ® books allow me to teach life lessons to children and families. The books speak of subject matters that need to be shared and discussed helping children understand the world. The books have vocabulary words offering opportunities for additional discussions and activities for classrooms and families. The books empower children as beginner readers and the books are wonderful to read aloud.

Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?

My friend, a fifth grade teacher read GG Meets Her Match — Becoming Forever Friends to her students. The children then discussed all the ways to be best friends forever and the hurtfullness of “bullying.”

I visited a kindergarten classroom reading GG Cleans House — Learning Teamwork. The children shared their ideas of “teamwork” and how helpful it is to do things together than trying to do them by yourself.

Many children, families and friends have appreciated hearing the message of GG Takes Action — Practicing Health Safety. This “GG” book helps children understand their recent struggles during the pandemic, encourages health safety of washing hands and wearing masks (as GG shows them) and gives everyone HOPE!

Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?

I believe Through Education — You Can Accomplish All! Education is key. Communicate, share, discuss social impact topics to better understand the thoughts of the young and the old (and wiser).

How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?

When defining “Leadership” I think of someone that guides, someone that shows the way, someone that lives the example. I feel as a children’s book author I have a responsibility to be an example, to educate readers being able to discuss socially impacting topics, to empower readers enhancing their vocabulary, to encourage readers to seek, know, guide and inspire.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

When asked this question, I think of “If I Knew Then What I Know Now.”

I wish someone would have told me that it is okay to dream. Opening your mind to creativity and the world of imagination is important for your mental development especially for children. During my childhood years, I always felt I was a grown-up. I didn’t dream. It seemed dreams didn’t come true so why bother. This mindset kept me from experiencing many joys and freedoms in my early years which continued into my adult years. GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ® books open that vast world of creative thinking and originality for me to share with others.

I wish someone would have told me to believe in myself and accept that I am unique, created by God to do great things. It seems I was always being challenged in my home life and in the workplace causing much self-doubt. I felt I had to constantly prove to myself and others that I was “good enough.” I felt I had to take the path of most resistance knowing the stakes were high to prove my “worthiness.” Being a female engineer in the oil and gas industry, it seemed everyday I was having to prove my intelligence, standing up for myself as others challenged me trying to prove me wrong. Bottom line, I had to “know my stuff,” which thankfully, I did. The irony of it all is the more others challenged me the more they realized that I was very qualified and for the most part I could “run rings around them.” I see now the self-doubt never had to be if I had just believed in “Me.”

I wish someone would have told me that my accomplishments would brew jealousy in those around me. This idea had never crossed my mind until it happened. Painstakingly enough I realized I had to pick myself up, get myself back on track and let the lesson be learned.

I wish someone would have told me that there will always be “naysayers” but not to let that deter me from reaching my goals. Everyone has the right to their thoughts, beliefs and ideas. In many cases, their thoughts, beliefs and ideas will not align with mine. That is okay. It doesn’t mean I have to stop or change my position. Better yet, it gives more reason to pursue my endeavors, to stay on course and fulfill my mission.

I wish someone would have told me that my love shared with others may not be returned in the same manner. I am blessed with the great gift of love. The more I love and care for others the more fulfilled my life becomes. I thought most people I may encounter would react similarly. This was not the case. I was astonished and heart-broken causing me to become reserved. Deep within I knew my personality is to be out-going and full of life. I knew I needed to stand-up, speak-up and lift-up people in this world.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Your education belongs to YOU, to encourage YOU to become that special YOU to share with others.”

I believe my education beginning in grade school through my studies at Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Tyler empowered me to have a successful career in education, engineering and business, as I blazed new trials, pioneered new ideas and broke new barriers. Knowing that I was intellectually equipped with the tools needed to accomplish the jobs at hand was astronomical and definitely encouraging. My knowledge affords me to be unique, to reach for the unreachable and keep reaching. My knowledge becomes that remarkable gift I can share with others.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

Oprah Winfrey has demonstrated through time how she changes the world. It would be a blessing to join forces with Oprah helping to change the world addressing social impact topics through GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ® books sharing my mission “Through Education — You Can Accomplish All!”

How can our readers further follow your work online?

GG Life Lesson Storybook Series ® books are available on my website https://www.ggstorybooks.com. I can be contacted at gglifelessons@gmail.com.nee

This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!