Aspiring lawyer who went into labour during family law exam celebrates Harvard graduation

Asked for an epidural and got on with the MCQs

An American law student who powered on through her Harvard exams despite going into labour has graduated from the elite American uni — and says baby Evelyn was her inspiration.

Single mother Briana Williams told her Instagram followers in a viral post that she began experiencing contractions during her second-year family law exam at Harvard Law School. But rather than jeopardise her mark or try for extenuating circumstances, she apparently asked for an epidural painkilling injection and finished the exam before heading off to give birth. As you do.

I went into labor in April- during final exam period. I immediately requested an epidural so that my contractions wouldn’t interfere with my Family Law grade. And, with tears in my eyes, I finished it. This “biting the bullet” experience is quite quintessential of my time at Harvard. To say that my last year of law school, with a newborn, and as a single mom was a challenge would be an understatement. Some days I was so mentally and emotionally fatigued that I did not leave my bed. I struggled with reliable childcare. It was not atypical to see me rushing through Wasserstein to the Dean of Students’ office with Evelyn in her carriage, asking DOS can they keep her for a few until class was over. If not, she’d just have to come with me to class. Evie attended classes often. So I’m going to be honest with you guys.. I didnt think I could do it. I did not think that, at 24 years old, as a single mom, I would be able to get through one of the most intellectually rigorous and challenging positions of my life. It was hard. It hurt. Instagram can make peoples’ lives seem seamless, but this journey has been heartwrenching. However, I am happy to say that I DID do it. Today, Evelyn in my arms, with tears streaming down my face, I accepted my Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. At first, I was the anomaly of my [marginalized] community. Then, as a single mother, I became a statistic. Next, I pray that- for the sake of my baby, I will be an example. Evelyn- they said that because of you I wouldn’t be able to do this. Just know that I did this BECAUSE OF YOU. Thank you for giving me the strength and courage to be invincible. Let’s keep beating all their odds, baby.

A post shared by Briana Williams, J.D. (@lovexbriana) on May 24, 2018 at 1:12pm PDT

Williams then had the daunting prospect of completing her final year at the top law school with a newborn baby in tow. It’s a challenge even Elle Woods never had to overcome.

But she did it, and the pictures of Williams with now one-year-old Evelyn at her Juris Doctor graduation are pretty damn adorable.

I know they prayed on my downfall. @Tee_Grizzley pic.twitter.com/gAVbPJbYo1

— Briana D. Williams (@BrianaESQ) 25 May 2018

Addressing her little girl in the Inta post, which has over 20,000 likes, Williams wrote:

“Evelyn- they said that because of you I wouldn’t be able to do this. Just know that I did this BECAUSE OF YOU. Thank you for giving me the strength and courage to be invincible. Let’s keep beating all their odds, baby.”

The social media star told USA Today that she already has a job lined up with an LA firm, provided she passes the bar exam while juggling Evelyn. On past performance, it doesn’t sound like she’ll have much trouble.