Ice Cream Dreams

I was in school in the 70's, my father ran out of funds to keep me and my
older brother in college at the same time. The funds ran out despite my work
driving and serving frozen custard from the back of Mr. Fuzz, an old ice
cream truck my father bought for me to work my way through school. Every
day, starting even before I graduated high school, I worked on the truck
some 12 hours a day. I drove the truck, made the ice cream cones and
sandwiches, purchased the supplies and sanitized the truck.

It wasn't enough. When I was a sophomore, my father called to tell me he had
to choose which of his two eldest children to keep in school. He chose the
boy kid because I, the pretty girl kid, would, of course, be married with
children and wouldn't need her education as much. When I dropped out of
college, my father was hospitalized with chest pains.

I wouldn't hear of it. I was only out for 6 months. Through federal loans,
in-state residency and work with the University, I finished school and then
returned to earn a Master's Degree in Journalism. I went on to work in
television for 25 years to date.

I do not blame my parents. Their reference point was their life experience.
A woman was expected to get married and raise a family. If she had a career,
it was intended to be a bonus in her life, not a necessity.

As it turns out, it is now and always has been not only a necessity but a
calling and an empowering opportunity.

Bonnie Behrend

Read more at Bonnie's blog: www.bonniebehrend.com