Anijah Wilson’s ambition reaches far beyond four generations of teenage mothers and is deeply rooted in her admiration for her late great-grandmother, Mary “Libby” Copper.
Now 29, Wilson is a business and community leader who thrives on meeting people where they are, driven by motivation that fuels both her heart and accomplishments.
Born in Easton, Maryland, Wilson grew up facing challenges that might have derailed others. She became a mother at just 15, continuing a family pattern: her mother gave birth at 17, her grandmother at 15, and Libby became a mother at 17. But unlike the generations before her, Wilson envisioned a different future—not only for herself but for her children.
Her great-grandmother Libby Blake and aunts Tracy and Sherry played a central role in her life, stepping in to care for Wilson and her brother when their mother, Aishia Handy, needed time to rebuild her life.
“Mom-Mom helped raise me,” Wilson said. “She cared for everyone—her heart of compassion was out of this world. Her example shaped the way I approach everything.”
Wilson stayed focused on her goals, despite becoming a mother as a teenager. She finished high school early and earned her certification as a medical assistant, which allowed her to balance work and motherhood. Today, she is the proud mother of three: Londyn, 13; Dasi, 9; and Dylan, 3. Her journey has come with numerous challenges, yet she still manages to achieve all of her goals.
Her children remain at the heart of everything she does. “I wanted to be present for my kids,” Wilson said. “I didn’t want to be away from them the way my mom had to be.”
Libby’s Legacy Lives On
Wilson’s admiration for Libby’s compassion inspired her to create Libby’s Loving Hands, a private nursing agency based in Easton, Maryland. Launched in May 2020, the company provides in-home care for clients needing everything from companionship to respite and hospice care.
The business began humbly, with Wilson providing care for a single client in 2016. Word quickly spread, and her services expanded through referrals.
“It started with one client at Londonderry,” Wilson explained. “Then her neighbor needed help, and then another neighbor. Before we knew it, we had a real agency.”
Today, Libby’s Loving Hands employs 33 caregivers, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs), home health aides, and nurses. The agency serves private clients and has plans to expand across the Chesapeake Bay to Anne Arundel County.
“We grew fast,” Wilson said. “At one point, we had 48 employees. It’s been a challenge to right-size the team while ensuring we keep the quality of care high.”
Wilson takes pride in the personalized care her team provides. “We don’t just take care of clients’ physical needs,” she said. “We build relationships and become part of their family.”
The agency is preparing to accept Medicaid, a move that will make their services accessible to more families. Long-term care insurance also helps cover costs for private care.
Finding Strength in Struggles
Wilson’s path to success hasn’t been easy. When she founded the agency, she had no formal business training.
“I had plenty of medical and private home care experience,” she said. “But I didn’t have a foundation for running a business.”
In 2024, Wilson participated in the Talbot County Business Academy, an eight-week program designed to help entrepreneurs develop essential skills. The timing wasn’t ideal—her clinicals for the licensed practical nurse (LPN) program at Standard College in Tysons Corner, Virginia, coincided with the academy classes.
“My Tuesdays started at 4 a.m.,” she said. “I’d take my kids to my aunt’s house and head to VA for clinicals, then attend class in the evening. It was exhausting, but I learned so much.”
The academy helped Wilson develop a deeper understanding of business operations, human resources, and compliance.
“It’s evolving every day,” she said. “I’m constantly learning how to be a better leader.”
The Heart of an Advocate
Wilson’s dedication to caring for others goes beyond her business. Her experiences caring for Libby during her battle with cancer and advocating for her father, Darryl Wilson, during his battle with cancer, shaped her passion for helping those in need.
Daryl Wilson was incarcerated for 12 years at the Eastern Correctional Institution. When he fell ill, it was Anijah who took the lead, advocating for his release and ensuring he received proper medical care.
“He was very sick, and they weren’t listening,” she said. “I worked myself to death to get him home.”
Wilson hopes to channel her advocacy skills into a future nonprofit focused on supporting young mothers, girls struggling with mental health, and children of incarcerated parents.
“I want to help those who feel like they don’t have a voice,” she said.
Her personal experiences inform her approach. As a teenager, Wilson struggled with anger and behavioral issues, leading to suspensions and alternative schooling. Therapy, led by a licensed counselor Kashira Brooks, was pivotal in helping her heal.
“I was a very angry child,” Wilson said. “Therapy taught me how to release that anger and channel it into something positive.”
Today, she encourages others to seek help.
“If you’re dealing with trauma, anger, or mental health issues, tell someone,” she said. “Getting help can change your life.”
A Vision for the Future
Wilson’s ambitions don’t stop at running a successful business. She will be working toward her registered nurse degree and dreams of expanding Libby’s Loving Hands into new regions.
Her nonprofit plans include mentoring young girls, particularly those who are teen mothers or dealing with challenges like parental incarceration.
“I want to show them that their circumstances don’t define them,” she said.
She also hopes to be a role model for her children. “I want my kids to know their mom is ambitious, determined, and compassionate,” she said. “I want them to see that hard work and a positive attitude can take you anywhere.”
Despite her demanding schedule, Wilson prioritizes time with her family. She and her children are active members of Union Baptist Church in Easton, where she serves as the family ministry leader.
Carrying Libby’s Spirit Forward
Wilson often reflects on the lessons she learned from Libby, whose legacy is at the heart of everything she does.
“Libby always said I’d be a nurse,” Wilson said. “I think she’d be proud of me today.”
Libby’s home was a place of love and community, where everyone was welcome. Wilson is dedicated to recreating that spirit in her own home, where she has taken on the matriarch role for her family.
“I want to be just like her,” Wilson said. “She raised me to care for others, and I carry her in everything I do.”
To learn more, visit www.libbyslovinghands.com.
(PLEASE NOTE: This story was first published in the February 2025 issue of Tidewater Times and is reprinted here with permission).
About Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.
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