You never know how your story will resonate with someone else.

Martha Brown, an associate at Store 878 in Cumming, Georgia, saw her son and football powerhouse, Derrick, get drafted during the first round to the Carolina Panthers last month. We followed their journey from Auburn hopeful to NFL player in our series “Raising A Giant.”

In Alamo, Texas, Barbara Delgado, a 22-year associate and mother of three sons, saw Martha Brown’s story and instantly felt a connection.  She watched the NFL Draft for the first time this year just to see Derrick and his mom, and celebrated with them from afar. “It makes me feel good when it comes from one of us, when it comes from Walmart,” said Barbara.

While Barbara may not be raising a “giant” like Martha, she is a Walmart associate raising three intelligent and talented young men. Also, like Martha, she has a fierce love for her children and wants them to lead full, successful lives and to follow their dreams.

Barbara has fought to rise above her circumstances to provide a good life for her family. She had her first child, Edgar, soon after graduating from high school. She’d had plans to attend vocational school, but after finding out she was pregnant, she got a job at Walmart instead. 

By the time she turned 21, the job was turning into a career, and she’d worked her way up to department manager.

“I am very grateful to this company that my kids never had to live in the projects,” said Barbara. She’s also grateful to her husband Rene, who’s played a huge role in the boys’ lives.

From a very young age, Barbara instilled a strong work ethic and spirit of giving back into her boys. They were accustomed to volunteering with her at various fundraising activities on weekends through Walmart, including making balloon animals or face painting at the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

Her children are undoubtedly a testament to Barbara’s dedication to them. Her two eldest sons have graduated from high school in the top five percent of their respective classes with honors. Edgar, her oldest, is graduating from Texas A&M with his Bachelors – the first college graduate in his family.

Like so many seniors across the country and world, the family won’t get to attend Edgar’s graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though there may not be the typical pomp and circumstance, Barbara says her son’s graduation will be the best Mother’s Day gift this year.