About Monica
The nightmare began at the age of 7 for Monica Boyd of Barrett Station, when she was labeled “special ed” and judged unteachable. Years later, she walked across the stage at her high school graduation, but without the ability to read her own diploma. Monica was 18 years old and illiterate.
“I would ask God on so many occasions to please let me graduate from high school, because I wanted to make my parents proud of me,” Monica said.
Although Monica received loud applause from the audience as she walked across the stage, she still felt a lack of accomplishment. “I knew they were clapping because I was a special education student who was graduating, not because I was successful.”
Monica left her graduation with non-existent self-esteem and words echoing in her head from a school counselor who said that she would never earn more than $5 an hour her whole life.