An average day at Miami University is graced with Ralph Lauren polos, Lacoste hats, and when it rains, Coach umbrellas. Author Mary Childer, on the other hand, had quite different attire growing up.
Childer will read excerpts from her personal story, Welfare Brat, at 4 p.m. Sept.26, in 212 MacMillan Hall.
Welfare Brat is the story of Childer's struggle out of poverty. As a child living in the Bronx during the 1960s, the story follows her from the age of 10 to 17 and the obstacles she faced along the way.
Mary Jean Corbett, a Miami English professor who is a personal friend of Childer's, booked her to attend Miami.
"(Mary) is remarkable, she breaks the stereotypes that people on welfare wind up on welfare," Corbett said. "... It's the typical American success story, but I don't think she believes everyone has equal access to what she made for herself."
Despite her drug-addicted mother or having to pass on food for the day, Childer still graduated high school at the age of 16 and went on to earn her Ph.D. Now, years later, she has taught at universities ranging from Dartmouth to Vanderbilt. Childer is currently an independent consultant specializing in discrimination prevention training, grievance investigation and conflict mediation.
When reading from her work, Childer said that at times it seems odd, but once she focuses on her purpose for being there, any uneasy feelings disappear.
"My reading is a catalyst for discussion, and I'm hoping that participants will be lively, curious, bold and interested in what others besides me have to say," Childer said. "I enjoy giving readings, but I relish facilitating discussions."
At Miami's reading, Childer plans to read a humorous section of the book describing how she "inanely" chose which college to attend.
The department of English and the women's studies program is sponsoring Childer's visit to Oxford's campus.
Corbett encourages all students to attend.
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"(Students) who are interested in issues of poverty and how poverty intersects with race and gender (should attend this event)," Corbett said. "... Also, it's nice to hear somebody read from their own work."
Childer still hopes to have a lasting impression on the audience.
"I'd like to leave the audience with a visceral sense of the repercussions of the fact that most first generation college students choose and enter college with limited information about types of schools, social expectations, etc." Childer said.
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