I was one of nine children born in Mississippi during the Depression. My father passed when I was six years old. There were five of us still at home at that time, which my mother had to raise as a widow. I started working in the fields with my mother at nine years old because I was the oldest at that time. Working in the fields did not give me much time for education. However, I was born with a determination to learn. It was puzzling to me that I could not seem to learn like other children, but I always had a desire to keep on trying even to this very day.

I left Mississippi in 1942 and went to Tennessee where I worked for a judge. His wife taught me housework. Later I worked in a defense plant making crates. My inability to read did not keep me from working and earning an honest living. I started working for Los Angeles County in 1970 and retired in 1991.

The literacy program has made quite a difference in my life. Even though I've always been gainfully employed, I still was not satisfied at not being able to read. I was never able to read until I started going to this school. I also was tested by a doctor and found out I have dyslexia. I was told my learning would be slow but I could do it.

I have had two wonderful tutors and a special teacher. I came from not being able to read at all to reading level seven. I think if I were a child learning, this would be a normal process. Since I am retired, I now have time to learn and I still want to learn, and I look forward to going on as far as I can.

It's slow but I see progress. After attending the California Adult Learner Conference, many interesting things have happened in my life. I have become involved with a group called Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches who are working for some reforms in the prison system. My presentation at the conference gave me more self-confidence and self-esteem to step out into other things. I am very grateful for the literacy program, my school, and the fact that I had the opportunity to attend the 1996 Conference.