That Girl From the Dummy Line

"That Girl From the Dummy Line" is a first person account of growing up in severe poverty in the delta farm region of northeastern Arkansas in 50s and 60s in a tar-papered shack built on a dirt road known as the dummy line.

The dummy line girl was the third of ten children born to an illiterate farmer and his wife, who didn't understand their daughter's love of education or her desire to go to college as she excelled in school. Indeed, they actively attempted to prevent her from leaving home to seek a college degree.

The dummy line girl spent much of her childhood working in the cotton fields. Farm work and other chores took a toll on the dummy line girl's ability to stay on track with her studies and goals. Further complicating her life was a dysfunctional relationship with her parents and an abusive older sister. The local public school system became her refuge and provided her with the hope she needed in order to plan a better future for herself.

This is a story about a girl who refused to accept the path given her by accident of birth - a girl who wanted more and believed she deserved more and was willing to work for it.