"When I was 13, an older boy took advantage of me, and I got pregnant. I didn't know anything about sex and I didn't know what was happening. When my mama found out, she was upset and angry. She felt like I had shamed her, but my grandmama was very kind to me about it. I kept going to school while I was pregnant, trying to hide it, but you can only hide it for so long. I was scared to death and cried every day. I didn't want to be pregnant. I didn't know what would happen when it was time for the baby to be born; I didn't even know where it would come out. And when I finally did give birth---oh, the pain! It was terrifying for such a young girl. Grandmama and a midwife were there with me. My baby and I grew up together, with my grandmama taking care of both of us like we were sisters. It was a long time before my daughter even knew I was her mama. I didn't know how to feed her or bathe her at first. I treated her like one of my dolls; that's the only thing I knew to do. Years after all this happened, I apologized to my mama for what I put her through, but I'm not sure she ever forgave me. I felt bad, but I didn't mean for any of it to happen; I didn't even know what sex was. My daughter graduated from high school, went to college, married, and has children and grandchildren of her own now. She has turned out to be such a blessing to me.
"Parents need to be teaching their children about sex. Whenever I get a chance, I tell young girls not to get pregnant. There are worse things that can happen, but having babies too early can stunt your life. You need to get your education and be able to support yourself, whatever happens. Sometimes girls think that if they have a baby by this boy, that he'll stay with them, but he won't; he's done with you then. He's used you, and now he's on to somebody else. Get your education and wait to have children. If you don't, then even if you're grown and married, what happens if your husband leaves you or dies? Then what are you going to do?
"I'm so thankful my grandmama was there for me during those early years. She taught me so much. She always said, 'Do things right the first time so you won't have to go back and do them again.' She taught me how to clean and how to cook. I still remember being in the kitchen with her when I was just a little girl, watching her mix up the biscuit dough. I loved how the dough would go through her fingers and how she cut the biscuits out with a salmon can. She was a beautiful lady, and I was close to her all my life."
"Parents need to be teaching their children about sex. Whenever I get a chance, I tell young girls not to get pregnant. There are worse things that can happen, but having babies too early can stunt your life. You need to get your education and be able to support yourself, whatever happens. Sometimes girls think that if they have a baby by this boy, that he'll stay with them, but he won't; he's done with you then. He's used you, and now he's on to somebody else. Get your education and wait to have children. If you don't, then even if you're grown and married, what happens if your husband leaves you or dies? Then what are you going to do?
"I'm so thankful my grandmama was there for me during those early years. She taught me so much. She always said, 'Do things right the first time so you won't have to go back and do them again.' She taught me how to clean and how to cook. I still remember being in the kitchen with her when I was just a little girl, watching her mix up the biscuit dough. I loved how the dough would go through her fingers and how she cut the biscuits out with a salmon can. She was a beautiful lady, and I was close to her all my life."