How do I condense my life into a few paragraphs? I had much to overcome beginning with abuse and poverty. Just after my thirteenth birthday I was sent to a convent/ Catholic school for girls. Life at home had become completely impossible. The nuns taught me self-respect and the virtues of a decent, hard-working life. They inspired me to go to college, and after a few missteps and detours, I earned my Masters in Social Work. My goal was to work with abused children and families, and I succeeded in that.

I was less successful in my personal relationships, especially when I was younger. My first husband was violent and darn near killed me several times. Each time, as soon as I got out of the hospital I would charge him for the domestic violence, but in the early 1970's, there were no laws to protect me. In the state of Pennsylvania, I was 'chatel'. When I divorced him, the Catholic Church threatened me with Excommunication. What a different world we lived in 40 years ago!

The Army promised equal rights- and equal protection, so I signed on the dotted line. Coming from a military family, it felt like the right thing to do. The GI Bill paid for my education so even though some bad things happened, in the end, I benefited.

As a small child, my oldest son saw my ex as powerful and emotionally aligned with him. I was blamed for all of the things that happened to his alcoholic father for decades after our divorce. Our relationship is still strained. My youngest son was denied by his father and their relationship was never better than fractious.

I wanted to be a good mother; a good person. I think what I take the most pride in is my integrity. Presently I continue to serve as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. While some terrible experiences marked my life, I was blessed with fortitude and great inner resources, and I want so much to give back. It is the, "Ask not what your country can do for you..." mindset. Kennedy (and the nuns) made an immense impression on me. I don't know how successful I was in transmitting these ideals to my sons.