I found out I was pregnant right before school let out in my sophmore year of high school. I was 16 years old. I wrestled with the idea of an abortion, and actually had an appointment set. The day of the scheduled procedure, I knew I could not go through with it, and made the decision to keep the baby. My parents were reluctant, but in the end, supportive. Looking back, I realize how hard that must have been for them, as they knew the full weight of this decision. I knew I wanted to finish school, and go on to college, and I researched my options that summer, as I also knew that becoming a parent meant that I would no longer be able to attend my neighborhood high school. At the time (1996), there were several programs available for teen mothers who wished to complete their high school diploma, and keep their babies in a nearby childcare. These programs have since been cut back, as a result of republican cuts to education and other social programs. That is why it make me so disgusted to see republican pundits speak with sympathy and feigned understanding in regards to young Bristol Palin's pregnancy. This is the party that frowns upon contraceptive education, abortion, and social programs designed to prevent teen pregnancy, and help young parents become independent. Yet in the midst of Sarah Palin's announcement, they are suddenly taking the "these things happen" attitude toward teen pregnancy. Yes, these things happen, however, without effective intervention and support programs, many young mothers find themselves in a desperate cycle of poverty, and subsequent births to children they cannot support. I am thankful that I had parents who were able to help me pay for childcare, so that I could attend community collge, and later partially pay for my books and tuition when I transfered to a university. Despite their help, I still had to rely on programs such as WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), subsidized childcare, and yes, AFDC, so that I could feed and house my children in my quest for a higher education, and a stable career. The very programs that assisted me are threatned in the face of yet another republican administration. Bristol and her young family will be economically provided for I'm sure...But what about the other young girls who find themselves in a similar predicement, and without familes that can provide for them? I am happy to report that I recently graduated with my M.A. in Education, nearly 11 years after the birth of my first child (see photo). And I will forever be grateful to the programs and services that were available to me so that I might realize this goal. As Obama states, "You can't pull yourself up by the bootstraps, if you haven't any boots..."

Pictures included are of my high school graduation (with baby in tow)

the night of my graduation from community college

and my graduation from CSUS with my M.A. (and two of my boys along with me)