Mother-daughter duo lives by 'heads up, hammer down' motto, finding success in male-dominated careers

A mother-daughter duo, defying gender norms in traditionally male-dominated fields, live by their saying, "Heads up, hammer down."

Meet Patty Jaye G. and Anastasia Patterson from Sumter. Both names probably sound familiar to the local community, with Patty Jaye being the first Black female police chief in the City of Sumter and her daughter Anastasia being an up-and-coming female angler in the bass-fishing world.

Although the pair differ in careers, they share one similarity across the board - both are or have been in male-dominated careers, and both said it was not easy.

"When you talk about Women's History Month, it's really talking about uplifting and empowerment, mentorships and leadership of women throughout history that have had an impact," Patty Jaye said.

Patty Jaye served in law enforcement for decades, and in 2011, she announced her retirement as the chief of police after 10 years of service in the head role. In 1991, she joined Sumter Police Department as major of operations second in command under former Chief Harold B. Johnson. In 2001, she was appointed the city's first Black female chief of police.

She said it was not easy going through the ranks because of struggles in her personal life and as a female in law enforcement. Patty Jaye served numerous roles in law enforcement and has won many awards and recognitions for her accomplishments. She has taken many classes on the federal and state level and said her time as chief of police was not always well loved by even females in the field.

"Some liked it, some didn't like it. Men and women that were externally outside of the department as well as in the department," she said. "Even when I went on to be in the SWAT team and was the first female there, some of the older guys questioned why I wanted to do this."

Patty Jaye thinks if she could perfect the same skills, offer what she could to the table and be able to perform the same skills, "Why shouldn't I have a seat at the table? Regardless of my gender. I was born a woman, and I am going to be a woman, and that is not going to be a crutch for me not to be able to do something."

She and her daughter Anastasia share the same belief, but Anastasia grew up hunting and fishing with not a thought of going into law enforcement.

"I grew up fishing before I could even walk," she said. "I was raised out in the woods and on the water."

Anastasia never thought she could turn her love of fishing into a career even when she played with the idea of turning it into a profession.

"There was a guy who told me a woman will never make it in the fishing industry," she said.

But one phone call turned her passion into a profession.

Anastasia has now become the first non-model female on the cover of Bassmaster magazine, and her biggest catch has been a 12-plus-pound bass she pulled from a lake in Florida. But she is not done, as her main goal is to compete at the highest level - Bassmaster's Elite competition.

"You're seeing more women in the fishing industry now," she said. "It just made my heart smile that something so simple but complicated at the same time brings people together."

Anastasia said someone doesn't have to be a professional to be good at something.

"Do what your heart desires, and let the Lord lead you in your path," she said. "I can't say it's not hard; it's lonely being a woman that travels and there's guys staying in a house with 15 people, but I am at a house for 12 to 15 days by myself."

Patty Jaye said it can be difficult in a male-dominated world, industry and profession but for little girls and women to not give up.

"You just have to overlook the others. There is always going to be naysayers that will say you're just a girl, you're just a woman, you can't do this or you can't do that," Patty Jaye said. "But the way I look at it is, I get up every morning just like you do, I put my pants on, just like you do. If we are both given the same tools, we ought to be able to perform the same task."

Anastasia said she has learned many lessons from her mom but one that sticks out to her is, "You have to reach out and reach back and pull others forward and applaud one another for success because it's not something that is achieved alone."

"You have to work hard, pray hard and do everything to your fullest. Like I always say, 'Heads up, hammer down,'" Anastasia said. "Mentally you have to be tough, especially in a male-dominated industry. There are some things women will go through that a man will never have to experience."

Both women said there will always be people who want to see you fail but to keep the negatives going through one ear and out the other and keep pushing forward.

"I have had a lot of firsts, but it's not about that. I am just one woman, my hand in God's hand, trying to do the right thing," Patty Jaye said. "Realistically, it's about believing in a girl, knowing they can be part of history because you make history every day you live. We need to be proud of these accomplishments and make sure they get recognized so that tomorrow's generation will continue to do the same thing because they are our future."