My mother was the first woman in the county in Indiana where we were born, in Jay County, to have a college degree. She was educated as a pianist and she wanted to concertize, but when the war came she was married, had a family, so she started teaching.

Summary

This quote highlights the personal background of the speaker's mother, who achieved the distinction of being the first woman in their county, Jay County in Indiana, to earn a college degree. Despite her original ambitions to pursue a career as a concert pianist, she was compelled to prioritize marriage and starting a family. As a result, she shifted her focus to teaching. The quote reflects the sacrifices made by many women during the time of war and the societal expectations that often pushed women towards domestic roles instead of pursuing their individual ambitions.

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