Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 78; Democratic Party

Educational Background: I am a retired College Professor with a Ph.D. degree from the University of Iowa, Masters degree from Michigan State University and Bachelor degree from South Carolina State University. During her career in education, I have taught at the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse, San Diego State University, Southwestern College and in the San Diego Community College District: San Diego City College, ECC and the West City Center. My professional background is in mathematics education and the natural sciences, and my career includes high school and college teaching. In 2003 with the state budget crunch, I retired after a 30-year career in math and science teaching.

Early Childhood: I grew up on a family-owned farm in Anderson, South Carolina. I am one of eight children. My mother was a third grade teacher and my father managed the family farm. This early experience with farm life taught me the ethic of hard work, love for the environment and its creation, and a quiet passion for gardening.

Community Involvement: As a community advocate, I have worked on issues such as jobs and livable wages, affordable housing, environmental justice, energy conservation, quality school, including affordable health care, college tuition and prescription drugs. In 2002, I was an alternate on the San Diego City's Redistricting Commission. Additionally, I have frequently testified before the city council on issues such as equal opportunity and employment, environmental quality, transparency in governance and San Diego's downtown black historical sites. In September 2005, I spent a week in New Orleans to provide relief assistance to Katrina Survivors. As a result of this trip, I returned to San Diego and organized an Adopt-A-School program to provide needed school supplied to the overcrowded schools in Baton Rough. Additionally, I published three articles on how Hurricane Katrina impacted the families, schools and local community.

Presently, I volunteer as a tutor in two after-school community programs because I understand the critical role education plays in securing the American Dream.

A Life of Accomplishments: Professor, Mentor and Community Leader: Community activities include: Girls Club of San Diego, Coalition of Neighborhood Councils, Paradise Hills Recreation Council, Broadway Heights Neighborhood Council, Mayor's Advisory Committee, Literacy Volunteers of America, San Diego Community College Advisory Board, Encanto Neighborhood Planning Committee and the California Legislative Black Caucus Foundation.

Hobbies: Since retiring, my hobbies include reading, traveling, deep-sea fishing and organic gardening. I enjoy sharing vegetables and fruits with friends, neighbors and former colleagues. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Bethel Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church. I have two sons and four grandchildren.