Growing up in the fifties and on, and within approximately twenty years, the author's "Mama" birthed ten children. Unfortunately, Mama was the only parent as her husband, our father, was an abusive alcoholic, thus, mostly being absent from home. Overwhelmed, Mama's attention for each child was challenged as witnessed by the author and other siblings' experiences.
With a strong desire for continual and consistent learning, the author's hopes were crushed as she was denied higher education and left with "other alternatives." No financial success for a person of color! Fighting her many obstacles and with time lost, the author did gain advanced degrees, but would have to be enlightened regarding fighting another emergent element...Mental health!