Lolita Booth

1. Lolita Booth

2. Childhood • “You’re looking at the face of a child abuse survivor, a perpetual runaway, a high school dropout. I was a teenage mother, a homeless parent and a former welfare recipient.” • As you can see, at a young age the odds were stacked against her. • Lalita’s parents divorced when she was young and she started running away at the age of twelve. • She moved from house to house sleeping on couches. • When she didn’t have a couch to sleep on she slept in parks and behind dumpsters.

3. Life as a Teen • Lalita married her long time friend at the age of 17. • Three months later she was pregnant with her son. • She now had to raise a baby in her long time life of poverty. • Two and a half years later her husband ended their marriage.

4. Starting a New Life • With her new boyfriend Carl and son Lalita moved her family to Boulder, Colorado. • Her son lived with his grand parents while she and Carl got their lives together. • At the age of 21 Lalita got a job as an enrolled agent (an expert in U.S Taxation.) • Her new income became $32,000; she was now back on her feet.

5. Back to School • Carl’s brother became and ill and he had to move to Florida. • Lalita now had to go back to school. • She enrolled herself in Seminole Community College. • She was selected to attend the Salzburg Global seminar where her and other students brain stormed ways to solve global issues. • She now figured out what she wanted to do; help others who lived in poverty like she once did.

6. Her Motto • When she got back in the states she won the Jack Kent Cook Foundation Scholarship. • Her advice to everyone: “set unreasonable goals and chase them unreasonably.”