My life's journey is a testament to perseverance, faith, and the power of education. From humble beginnings in rural South Carolina to a career in academia, my path has been shaped by struggle and triumph, loss and resilience. I was born in the early 1950s in a small wooden house without electricity, plumbing, or running water. I spent much of my childhood working in the fields or caring for siblings, often missing school. Sharecropping trapped families like mine in poverty, yet we drew strength from our church and from gospel music that sustained our spirits.
In 1966, after my father's death, I was finally able to attend school regularly. I attended George Washington Carver School, where dedicated teachers nurtured my potential despite the hardships of segregation. In tenth grade, I joined the Upward Bound program at Claflin College, a transformative opportunity that encouraged me to believe in education as a way forward. I met Fredrick at Claflin, who became my husband. Like me, he came from modest roots, working the fields to support his family before pursuing higher education. He joined ROTC at South Carolina State College, and together we began building a future anchored in determination.
I earned my degree in mathematics working as a teacher, while Fredrick pursued a career in mathematics and later aviation through the U.S. Army. As a military family, from Georgia to Germany, Texas, Kansas, and beyond, I taught mathematics wherever we lived, while Fredrick advanced as an officer and aviator. During our years abroad in Germany, we welcomed our first daughter, Bettina, and later in Texas, our second, Fredricka. Both grew up thriving in school and activities while we modeled commitment to education and service. Fredrick served bravely, including a deployment to Panama during Operation Just Cause. After his early retirement in 1992, we ventured into civilian life by developing a mobile home park and opening a restaurant. But our plans were altered when he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2000. He passed away that same year, leaving behind a legacy of strength and vision that continues to guide our family.
In the years after his passing, I turned more deeply to education for purpose and healing. I earned a doctorate in K12 Leadership in 2006 and began mentoring graduate students at Argosy University and the University of Phoenix. Helping others achieve their academic goals became one of my greatest joys. Our daughters carried forward the values of discipline, persistence, and faith that Fredrick and I instilled. Bettina earned her medical degree and specialized in Anesthesia and Pain Management. Fredricka followed in her footsteps, becoming a Family Medicine physician. Today, both practice medicine with dedication and excellence.
Together, we have celebrated life's milestones through travel, shared performances, and family gatherings. From Broadway shows in New York to musicals in Paris, these moments have become reminders of how far we've come from the cotton fields of South Carolina. This story is dedicated to Fredrick, whose drive and humility inspired me, and to our daughters, who embody his legacy. My life proves that education, faith, and persistence can transform humble beginnings into extraordinary outcomes. Dreams, however distant, can indeed come true.
