How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong.

Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. - George Washington Carver

(1952) This is one of my favorite photos. My sister Ginny and I in the old rocking chair.

I was born and raised in New York City. When I graduated from high school in 1969, I went right to work as a clerk typist and was bored within a few months. After working my way up to advertising coordinator for Ideal Toy Corporation, I decided that the business world was not for me. Since no one in my family had ever attended college, I didn't think that I was college material ( in fact, my mother told me so.) However, in 1972, thanks to an "open admissions" policy at the City University of New York I began my career as a college student continuing to work fulltime. A whole new world opened up for me. I was thrilled with the intellectual stimulation and new ideas that an education provided. Although it took me six years, I graduated from York College, CUNY in June, 1978 with a Bachelor's degree in History.

Since I was working as an administrative assistant at New York University, I was afforded the opportunity to work on a Master's degree in History. Concentrating in Latin American history, I received my MA from NYU in June, 1980 and immediately moved to California. Finding a job teaching history was extremely difficult, if not impossible in the 1980s, so I got a position as an admissions counselor/credentials evaluator at the UC San Francisco School of Dentistry. Again, my restlessness took over and in 1987 I returned to SFSU to work on a Master's degree in Social Work. Social Work was interesting, however I continued to think about teaching history. I landed a student teaching assignment at City College of San Francisco and the evening that I finally stepped in front of the classroom, teaching a lesson on the presidency of John F. Kennedy - I was hooked.The next hurdle was finding a teaching job at a community college. I was a "freeway flyer" for ten years, going from UC (I still worked 3/4 time), to Skyline, to CCSF, to Canada, to CSM...well, you get the picture! Finally, I settled down at Skyline College, teaching three classes and helping coordinate the Women In Transition Program. I felt comfortable at Skyline and in 1999 I was fortunate to become a fulltime faculty member in the Social Sciences/Creative Arts Division. Short of sounding pollyanna, I still can't believe I get paid to do something that I love to do!

As I begin my 24th year of teaching, I sometimes still can't believe I have the job of my dreams. Getting up in the morning to go to a job that you love is a blessing that very few experience. In my very limited spare time, I enjoy writing, reading, gourmet cooking (and eating!) for my family and friends.

On August 9th, 2013, my partner and I got married on the beach at Lake Tahoe. I never thought I'd see the day where I could marry the person whom I have lived with for 27 years. My life has truly been a remarkable journey.

August 26, 2013