I grew up in the West, went to college in the East (Tufts), and have spent most of my married life in the Deep South . My primary areas of interest are education and what we call "racial reconciliation" here in Mississippi .

I love working with children and have been in the field of education for most of my life. After I got married, I taught first grade in an inner city school in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . After having children, I stayed home with them while they were small. During that time, I helped start an elementary school in Chattanooga , Tennessee . Upon moving to Mississippi , I became the principal of a struggling elementary school and continued as its principal for eighteen years. The school originated in the late-1960s as a "white flight" school. I immediately worked to change that. We were successful, and our success was highlighted in a New York Times article several years ago profiling examples of successful integration in the South. We recently added a high school and now have a thriving Kindergarten - 12th grade system.

I recently retired from working at the school, and am now working part-time at my church as Director of Children's Ministries. We have a multi-cultural, "semi-urban" church. I am enjoying my new job.

While I was a principal, I had an unusual hobby. I loved traveling around with large groups of school children! Our longest, most adventurous trip was going from Jackson , Mississippi , to Quebec , Canada , by train! We did that for many years, until we were in a big Amtrak wreck south of Chicago on our way home. I also took groups to Mexico , Chicago , St. Louis , New York City, Huntsville (Space and Rocket Center), New Orleans, Williamsburg, and, of course, Washington , D.C. It was fun!

My husband and I have been married for 40 years. We have lived in many places, including four and a half years in Europe . We have three grown sons. They are in very different fields, but all have chosen helping professions.