This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Elona Washington. It has been edited for length and clarity. I was 20 years old when I had my first child, my daughter, Brynna. I had a second ...

Key PointsElona Dunaway, originally from Albania, moved to the U.S. in 2000 and became a U.S. citizen a decade later, inspired by her parents' teachings on freedom and independence.She joined Marathon ...