First paper autobiography...why not just add it!

Gloria Barnett
World Religions and Religious Perspectives GL 411E-412E
R. Wayne Perkins, Ph.D.
August 31, 2009
The world was first blessed with my presence July 29, 1963. I was the youngest of five children born to my parents Sherman and Mayme Orange. Although our parents were both from Central Kentucky, our home has always been in Evansville, Indiana. We were very fortunate to maintain a strong connection with our parent’s hometown. Country living is one of my favorite aspects of my childhood.
It was normal for our mother to have our bags packed on Fridays so that as soon as dad got off work we would head to Kentucky. Every weekend seemed like a vacation. I mention all of this because the time we spent running, playing, fishing and camping without any worries, helped to form who I am today. Neither of my parents attended, or much less graduated, high school. During the late forties in Muhlenberg county many students did not earn a high school education. Some, including my father, never completed elementary school. Most obtained jobs as quickly as possible to help support their families. Some chose to move from their respective family homes to lessen the burden on their parents. This is what my father did at age fifteen. He moved to Evansville and lied about his age to obtain employment. Later he returned to his hometown to retrieve and marry my mother his childhood sweetheart.
With lots of love they began a family within two years of marriage. My father worked in a factory while my mother often worked as a cook in various restaurants. For reasons that I can only guess, I never remember my parents taking a real interest in my education. Maybe my parents were exhausted from raising my four older siblings. Perhaps my parent’s limited education may have hindered their ability to be positive role models regarding my education. One thing is for certain, a strong desire to learn was not instilled in my very formative years. I never developed a true appreciation for education until I was in my sophomore year of high school. Although I began to focus more on learning I had a limited amount of self confidence and lacked productive study habits. In my senior year of high school I applied and was accepted to what is now known as, the University of Southern Indiana with dreams of becoming an elementary school teacher. It was just a dream that I felt was out of my reach. I knew that the expense was far beyond anything that I could possibly afford.
Oh, by the way I had a child while in high school and was living up to my responsibilities with a great amount of seriousness. Had I known at the time of the assistance available for a single mother pursuing a degree; I might have taken full advantage. My parents did teach me perseverance, the importance of a positive work ethic, and to be a good person that makes a positive contribution to society. With these attributes along with my strong ability to effectively communicate I have achieved success in my career.
By the time that I was twenty I held a respectable position as a shipping system specialist for Pitney Bowes, which was a fortune three hundred corporation. A few years later when personal computers were becoming a part of everyone’s work environment, I joined one of the most prominent computer sales firms in the area, Van Ausdall and Ferrar. I was the first in the company to sell a network computer system that consisted of fourteen work stations. This career path led me to be on the road constantly which was not in the best interest of my family.
With my work schedule at that time I found myself picking my son up from daycare only to take him to my mother’s home while I attended a meeting or did a presentation. The schedule was taking a major toll on my son and weighing very heavy on my heart. A friend told me about a job opportunity with a real estate firm that would allow me to work a normal office schedule in a position of administrative support to the realtors. This position led me to obtaining my Indiana real estate license. I was also promoted to a new position as an assistant to the president and vice president of the firm. Although I no longer traveled out of town, I found myself working many additional hours. With listing and showing homes, hosting open houses, I was basically working two jobs. I found myself neglecting my most important responsibility of being a mother. I feel money is not the most important thing, but when you fear not being able to meet the most basic needs of your family you come to realize that ultimately your survival depends on it.
To make life easier, I accepted a position with a local travel agency as a receptionist with the hopes of easing the burden. I was soon promoted to a travel agent position. Here we go again on another new adventure. This opportunity was the best fit for me and my family. This new career path led me to work with a wonderful group of women that have become my sisters for life. Each of these relationships helped to created some of the most beautiful threads in the tapestry of who I have become thus far.
As a travel agent I have traveled from Polynesia to Cairo. I never fathomed that I would ride a camel around the great pyramids or cruise the Nile. I traveled from Alexandria the northern most point of Egypt to ancient Abu Simbel very near the Sudan boarder. I have lit candles and prayed for my family in many basilicas and cathedrals throughout Europe including the Cathedral of Notre Dame. I have enjoyed these travels prior to experiencing much of my own backyard such as Alaska. Experiencing the world through travel has given me a better understanding of the world and my place in it.
In 1993 I married a very kind and loving man, Ronald Barnett. Ron encouraged me to take the adventure vacation of my dreams. This consisted of an eight day long rafting and camping trip down the Colorado River. The best part of the experience was that it cut all the way through the Grand Canyon during a full moon phase. Our first day on the water was my forty-first birthday. This adventure led me to overcome many fears such as my fear of heights. I climbed to amazing locations and experienced beauty beyond anything that I had ever imagined. I slept under the stars without a tent. I even became comfortable enough to climb above and dive into waterfalls in some of the tributaries. It was amazing to see the unbelievable amount of lush and tropical scenery. My expectations of this adventure were high, but the reality was far greater than I had imagined.
My years as a travel agent have not only allowed me to be there for my son, they have allowed me to open his eyes to the world. It has become my mantra to be aware that we are not only citizens of our community we are citizens of the world. Due to the rapidly increasing cost of medical insurance coverage I made a very difficult decision to leave my fulltime position as a Senior Travel Counselor with Haynie Travel. I chose to accept a position in residential property management to help oversee the development and management of Lakeshore Apartment Homes. I have continued to work as an independent contractor with the travel agency.
Since my decision to attend the University of Evansville, I have curtailed my commitment to my travel clients. My greatest priority at this time is to successfully complete the GL program and earn my degree. I am not certain where I anticipate this program to lead me. I do know that not having this degree has kept me from achieving greater success in today’s business world. I know that I have made great accomplishments and wish to continue to build my legacy.
I am enjoying being a wife of sixteen years and making wonderful memories with my children and grandchildren. I am excitedly facing the next three years of my personal growth. I look forward to learning, achieving and simply doing something so meaningful that is for me. I am afraid of the expense to the point that it nearly takes my breath away, all the more reason for me to make the very most of my investment.
My son Jeff Orange graduated magna cum Laude from this program just this last spring. It was Jeff as well as recent events in my life that has convinced me to join this highly regarded program. I am grateful for this experience and look forward to the next three years of learning and growing.