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Award Winning Local Author Overcomes Adversity, Helps Others Do Same
Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) March 31, 2005
Yolanda Tucker was 10 years old when she tried to commit suicide. By age 15, she had been homeless and pregnant twice; by the time she was just old enough to vote Tucker was a parent to three children ÂÂ one her own, the other two her young brothers. Today, Tucker is an award-winning author, motivational speaker and has earned her masterÂÂs degree.
ÂÂI am the girl from the hood that everyone said would amount to no good,ÂÂ Tucker said. ÂÂFamily members told me that I would have a house full of children and collect welfare; no one expected me to even graduate high school.ÂÂ
Tucker learned early that life was a challenge and that she would have to work hard if she was going to succeed. TuckerÂÂs mother overdosed during the pregnancy of her brother Roderick, refused to attend her high school graduation and perpetually abused her children. When she gained custody of her two teenage brothers at the age of 18, she hoped to be the kind of parent they never had ÂÂ someone who could help them through the hard decisions.
ÂÂI wanted to give them a better life,ÂÂ Tucker said. ÂÂI wanted life to be good, but I had rules ÂÂ they had to attend school, respect my home and be in at a decent time.ÂÂ
Though she had survived domestic violence, emotional and sexual abuse, life was not easy for Tucker and her family. At a time when most other teenagers are worrying about finding a date to the prom or who will win the next football game, Tucker was working, paying bills and feeding her family ÂÂ all while keeping up with her education.
ÂÂI was running on empty most of my senior year ÂÂ between school, work and family, I barely got enough sleep to function,ÂÂ Tucker said. ÂÂI was responsible for keeping my brothers on task, but it was hard enough keeping me on task.ÂÂ
Tucker persevered. In 2004, she graduated from Florida Metropolitan University with a masterÂÂs degree in international business administration, and later won the Royal Palm Literary Award for her first book, an autobiography entitled Blessed Beyond Belief.
ÂÂMy success is due to faith in God and recognizing his ability to surround me with earth angels.ÂÂ
Tucker knows how to teach others to recognize their own abilities as well; through her support, her brother Leander earned his college degree in 2003
Florida Metropolitan University (FMU), one of the largest private universities in Florida, provides education to qualified undergraduate and graduate students through career-oriented associate, bachelor and masterÂÂs degree programs. FMU is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), a national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. With over 11,000 students enrolled, FMU is currently one of the largest private universities in Florida. FMU is a member of the Corinthian Colleges, Inc. Global Network.
Corinthian Colleges, Inc. is one of the largest post-secondary education companies in North America, operating 91 colleges in U.S. and 45 colleges in Canada. The companyÂÂs mission is to help students prepare for careers that are in demand or to advance in their chosen career. Corinthian offers diploma programs and masterÂÂs, bachelorÂÂs and associateÂÂs degrees in a variety of fields, concentrating on careers in health care, business, criminal justice, transportation maintenance, trades and technology.
Contact: Joyce Baker
(904) 777-1898
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