September 9, 2026
Fight for Life In The News
Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty Pens a new book and Veronica Watkins is recognized as one the Influential Women of Madison County!
Celebrating Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty: Advancing a New Vision for Student Attendance
Fight for Life Foundation is proud to celebrate Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, Chair of the FFL Board of Directors, on the release of her new book, Schools Spared, Children Punished: How We Got to Attendance Science™.
As the Founder and CEO of Attendance USA™ and creator of the PSSB® framework, Dr. Gentle-Genitty has dedicated years of scholarship, leadership, and advocacy to changing how schools understand student attendance. Her new book challenges educators and systems to look beyond absence itself and ask a more important question: What is happening in a young person’s life that is influencing their ability or desire to show up?
That message deeply connects with Fight for Life’s work. Through Building Dreams, Finding Your Beat, and our broader support of school communities, we believe behavior, attendance, emotional well-being, and engagement are signals—not simply problems to be punished. Understanding those signals creates opportunities for earlier intervention, stronger relationships, and more meaningful support for students and families.
In Schools Spared, Children Punished, Dr. Gentle-Genitty draws upon more than a decade of work developing the field of Attendance Science™ and introduces evidence-informed approaches designed to replace assumptions about students and families with deeper understanding. Her work calls educators, counselors, administrators, social workers, and policymakers to move from consequence-first responses toward approaches grounded in evidence, strengths, relationships, and student-school connection.
For Fight for Life, this accomplishment is especially meaningful because Carolyn brings this same commitment to young people and systems change to her leadership as our Board Chair. Her expertise helps strengthen our vision of creating school environments where data does more than document what happened—it helps adults See, Understand, Support, Strengthen, and ultimately help young people Thrive.
Congratulations, Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty! We celebrate this significant achievement and are grateful to have your leadership helping guide the Fight for Life Foundation. Your work is contributing to an important shift in education: from asking “Why isn’t this student showing up?” to seeking to understand “What does this student need in order to belong, engage, and succeed?”
From all of us at Fight for Life Foundation—congratulations on the release of Schools Spared, Children Punished!
Veronica Watkins
Congratulations, Veronica Watkins!
A Leader Who Inspires. A Servant Who Empowers.
The Fight for Life Foundation proudly celebrates Veronica Watkins on this well-deserved recognition as one of Madison County’s Influential Women.
Veronica’s life is a testament to the power of servant leadership. Through more than 25 years of service, she has dedicated herself to strengthening individuals, families, schools, and communities by leading with compassion, integrity, and purpose.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Sista’s of Royalty Inc., Director of Community Relations at Indiana Agriculture & Technology School, and Human Resources Benefits Manager at the University of Southern Indiana, Veronica continues to create opportunities that empower others to thrive. Her unwavering commitment to mentorship, education, and community engagement exemplifies the very qualities this honor represents.
Veronica’s leadership reminds us that true influence is measured not by titles, but by the lives we uplift and the legacy we leave behind.
Thank you for making a lasting difference in our communities.
Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
