First and foremost, I have dedicated my life to helping others improve their own lives. I believe in paying it forward as many, many people helped me.

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I am a professional educator. As a certified teacher, I taught band, choir, and music for 16 years. After leaving the classroom, I spent several years as an executive in the non-profit field, working for Meals on Wheels of Tampa, The Alzheimer's Association, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, to name a few. I also founded an early childhood literacy organization for children who do not have access to preschool, called The Gladys Project.

My life took a turn while sitting in a Criminal Law class as a 50-year old law student. I realized that what I thought had been an illicit affair with my band director was actually sexual abuse. I was

13-years old when he began to groom me and 14-years old when he perpetrated the first time.

It took the study of law for me to understand the criminality of his acts. 

I work with schools, districts, and legislators to keep students safe from predatory adults. 

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