How do you define ‘perseverance?’

For myself, I define it as a continued effort to do or achieve something, even when it’s difficult, or takes a long time.  A great example of perseverance happened during the Great Depression in Ocean View/Willoughby Spit (Norfolk, VA) when many parents couldn’t afford new shoes for their offspring.  So, they didn’t send their children to school, until they could.  

Miss Lucy Mason Holt, the principal at Ocean View Elementary School came up with a plan, so these children could attend school.  In 1929, she started a barefoot contest for the students.  The children came to school barefooted and would win a dollar, if they were able to keep it up, until Miss Holt wore her coat.

Thomas Creekmore, Jr. was the sole winner in 1929 and with that dollar he purchased a pair of sneakers and had money left-over.  After that year, the contest really picked up, as more and more students decided to accept the challenge.

https://www.overdrive.com/media/4371223/miss-lucys-barefoot-boys