After graduating from Wilson, I attended Tufts University in Boston (French, Philosophy) finishing my college education with 7 months in Paris. I worked in international relations and community development work in DC before attending Social Work School in Baltimore. I was a lobbyist for a national non-profit and after receiving my PhD from the University of Chicago, held various jobs in the community including Director of Interfaith Hospitality House, a homeless shelter for families with children in Birmingham, AL where I now reside. I wrote and published a book for families with children with special health care needs on how to get and payee for services.

I have been retired for nearly 10 years, am divorced, and have a lovely daughter, Hannah, who is married and completing a graduate degree at Carnegie Mellow University in Interactive Design.