Julie Kamblijambi-Kep has come a long way from her childhood in the village of Wingi in Papua New Guinea's East Sepik Province. This article explores the support Julie's family provided for her education, her subsequent training as a nurse and her work around the country, including as the coordinator of the maternal health program at the University of Goroka. The article's exploration of various challenges, including the death of Julie's husband and her need to work while raising five children, make it a useful reference point for women in Papua New Guinea, especially those who are committed to helping others by working in the field of maternal and child health.