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White Trash Girl to CEO: My Money Story
Deborah grew up in Cabbagetown, a poor area of Atlanta. Then she moved into the corporate world
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Deborah Bailey | DivineCaroline
June 16, 2008
I was born a white trash girl to a single teenage mom. We lived with her parents in Cabbagetown, a poor section of Atlanta with small mill houses that surrounded the Fulton Bag Cotton Mill. Both of my grandparents worked there for 75¢ per hour and I remember the mill controller coming by our house every Friday to collect the $4.32 per week rent, which we most often did not have. We lived primarily on dried beans, cabbage, potatoes, and corn bread with a roasted chicken as our big splurge on Sundays after church. When my Mother started working as well, that afforded us an occasional ice cream or a few clothes from the thrift store. We were indeed dirt poor.
My first thrill was when my mom’s oldest sister, Mary Elizabeth, bought the family our first television set. I sat glued to the few shows that aired, mesmerized by the images of faraway places. The highlight of my year was the arrival of the Sears Roebuck Christmas catalog. I would spend hours every day going page-by-page circling all the things I wanted to buy when I grew up, moved away from Cabbagetown, and had my own money.
There was never enough money and any inquires about buying me something I wanted were met with “you know we can’t afford that,” “money doesn’t grow on trees,” or “quit obsessing about things and money; it is the root of all evil.” Still, I was green with envy of my friends who had pretty dresses, took dance classes, and whose parents had shiny cars and June Cleaver houses. I on the other hand rarely invited friends to visit my house and was ashamed of my cheap clothes and worn shoes.
I became obsessed with money and thought that if I just had some, it would be my ticket out of there. I studied hard and made straight As in elementary and high school. I ran away from home and spent the next eight years putting myself through college while working full-time as a secretary and supporting myself. I majored in accounting because I wanted to be good with money and because it was, after much research, what I determined would make me the most money with the least amount of education. I landed a job with Ernst and Young out of college for what seemed to me at the time a fortune: $15,500. I was told “you have to work hard to make money,” and no number of hours or amount of travel was ever too much.
Maddie
6 months ago
94 comments
This is an interesting story and I'm very pleased that our friend has had success and pulled herself out of a bleak existence. At the same time, to my mind, the article lacks the most important information that a reader needs.
In retrospect, what was it that enabled her to succeed? Lots of people in horrible situations WISH to get out but cannot make it happen! Other than the desire to obtain MONEY, what enabled her to keep going? Any why was she successful.
Many, many people have worked their sweet little tushes off and never received the financial rewards that they believed they earned.
Interesting tale but not a very insightful article.
RedDahlia
6 months ago
248 comments
This is a great, ispirational story. Thank you for sharing.
Peggy98
6 months ago
6 comments
What a great article!! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Your drive and determination to educate others will be ever so rewarding for you and those that encounter you. As a single mother I'm currently working with my daughters to play the money game smarter but I'm always looking for resources. Do you have any resources available that you could share? I'm really trying to put all of this in play as my daughter is just starting her first job and trying to teach her about her money and how to make her money work for her. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
BigMomma
6 months ago
68 comments
This is the most "balls on" honest, soul searching, feel good, there really is hope thing I have read in such a long time. Boy, I'd like to have a cup of coffee with you. You sound like a FASCINATING person to interview!
Maddie
6 months ago
94 comments
Not everyone in your position, despite the WISH to get out, manages to get out. I have a lot a questions...To what do you attribute your ability to get out of the situation you were in? Did you have any exceptional role models? What, other than the pursuit of money, do you think motivated you to keep going? What special qualities in yourself do you feel you owe your ability to overcome the adversity which you so clearly overcame?
rachelross70
6 months ago
2 comments
Thank you so much for your honesty. So many of us practice the art of outwardly projecting that we are "ok" and holding it together when inside we are hurting. Chasing money and lavashing it on my children is how I (temporarily) overcame my guilt for always working and being away from my kids. I have recently learned that they will never be satisfied with anything or get to a point where they don't want anything more. The reason why is because I unconsciously instilled in them my false beliefs about money.
Your article really rings true and I really appreciate it.
pranachika
6 months ago
2 comments
"oh hunny! you were never a "white trash girl" - you cannot be white trash until you actually embrace that culture. from the sounds of it you were running from it since the day you were given life. your story is one of hope and inspiration for women the world over. congratulations on your new consciousness and approach to this life you lead! i would love to know more about what you plan to do in regards to spread this knowledge. i'm on board all the way! you go get 'em woman! "
JobSearchCoach
6 months ago
52 comments
Thank you for sharing the story of your personal journey with us. It is a very important story for anyone who is running from her past. Sometimes we are and we don't even know it. But the impact it has on us can be truly devastating.
stgreg11
6 months ago
98 comments
There definitely is a class system alive and well in our country. My son's best friend came from money and lived in a large 6000sft house replete with luxuries. During middle school and high school, the boys hung out all the time and usually my son stayed at his friend's house. One time the friend called home to ask permission to stay at our house, but the dad wanted to know if I had room for him, i.e., a separate bedroom. I had to laugh because despite our guest bedroom, the guys always crashed on the floor of my son's room whether it was one guest or four!
The friend's mom asked me how I managed working full time, raising a family and doing household chores. I told her you do what you have to do to make the family situation work.
Behind these comments resonated an attitude that we were not as good as they were because we had less money? Let's face it there is a big gap between the working poor and those with a lot of money to spare.
Sadly as the boys entered college, their friendship waned despite my son's attempts at renewal. I did not have the heart to tell him the underlying cause was our obvious lack of money.
In some ways the fact that I came from a very poor family growing up probably colored my feelings about the situation. I distinctly remember being laughed at in school because I only had one pair of shoes and two dresses.
Education became my ticket out of public housing. I was the only one in my family who had graduated from college (on my own dime) and earned two degrees.
Like the OP, I lavished a lot of excess on my kids until I, too, burned and crashed except mine was because of health issues and not anxiety. Sadly, my daughter couldn't bear to live without the extras and chose to live with her dad who made a lot more money than me. Her attitude remains the same. Although I am saddened by her crass attitude, I hope that she becomes enlightened when she has her own children. Money cannot buy happiness!
SenderofCards
6 months ago
1286 comments
It is amazing that how we viewed money as a child is how we deal with it as adults. I love the idea of taking this to the teens so they can live their lives for a purpose instead of for the persuit of money.
LilaK
6 months ago
108 comments
A true Cinderella story -- and so nice to hear the glass slipper/Prince Charming wasn't found in money and straight-forward "success" -- it was found on a personal level. It's all about the journey!