Moms – they raise us, make sacrifices for us and inspire us. One could argue they do it all! Lowe’s store manager Ebony Wheeler at store 1849 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a testament to that statement. Wheeler is a Lowe’s store manager, a wife, mother and grandmother... Wheeler is a Home Maker.
“It feels good to say that I am a Home Maker because I’m working every day to support my family,” Wheeler said.
The role moms play in their families has grown and changed over time. Yet, as the conversation evolves, the depiction of the word ‘homemaker’ has not. When you type the word ‘homemaker’ in any search box, a one-dimensional, outdated view rises to the top. You see an image or definition that focuses more on profession and less on the passion, creativity, sacrifice and emotional role of caretaker that unites all moms as homemakers. Because every day, moms give so much to make their homes a safe and supportive space for their families.
This Mother’s Day, Lowe’s is out to change the perception of ‘homemaker’ by calling on all moms and their families to celebrate the collective role that mom plays in making a house, a home.
Wheeler became a mom at 17 years old. She raised her son as a single parent with the help of her own mother. After having her son, Wheeler began to work in retail to support him and put herself through college. Her junior year, Wheeler had to step away from academics and focus on work. But she later returned and received a degree in human resources and another in business administration.
While working in operations for a retailer, Wheeler had her second child, a girl, and says she gave her the push to grow her career further. In 2014, Wheeler started her career with Lowe’s through the store manager training program. Several years later, Wheeler became the only Black female store manager for Lowe’s in her region at that time.
It felt great to be one of the few and only Black female store managers. It gave me a sense of pride and purpose for the women to come after.
Wheeler has been a store manager with Lowe’s for the past eight years and says she has had to humble herself and work hard to get to where she is today. During this time, Wheeler has created and hosted women in leadership summits within her region to promote female leadership awareness. In the past few years, Wheeler has promoted three Lowe’s store associates to store managers.
Now, Wheeler is a grandmother, has the home she’s always dreamed of for her and her family and has financial freedom. Being able to buy her mom a car, take her family on vacation or spoil her grandchild with tickets to Disney on Ice are just a few of the ways Wheeler says Lowe’s has changed her life. “As a young mom, I couldn’t afford things like that. Now to be able to do that and create those memories, it gives me renewed purpose.”
Join the conversation! Post your own #HomeMaker to help change the image that populates on social media.
“It’s important to celebrate Home Makers because we are a key component of life – a necessity! Home is where the heart is, and we all feel great when we can say, ‘it feels good to be home.’ As Home Makers, we create that feeling,” said Wheeler.
Professional photography credit: Tessa Marie Commercial
