A 78-year-old Alabama woman has earned a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts after studying for six years at Samford University.
Vivian Cunningham recently walked with her fellow Samford students as part of the graduating class of 2021. For much of her adult life, she juggled work and being a single mother of two while slowly accumulating college credits.
“There were some times I wanted to give up,” she told Samford University News. She admitted to always convincing herself to just keep on going.
According to the report, Cunningham attended trade school many years ago to improve her skills in sewing. The certificate she earned helped her land a job as a professional seamstress in Atlanta.
“I saw how she struggled. Working at night. Couldn’t find babysitters to keep my sister and myself,” her son told WBRC. “It was hard. But she would always find a way to feed us, clothe us and us not knowing how difficult [it would be].”
No Plan to Stop
Despite her age, Cunningham is not closing the door on education. “Well like I said, it might be Chapter two. I might try for the Master’s,” she explained.
The proud new college graduate believes that no one should stop pursuing their dreams. “I don’t want to stop. I love to read, I love to sew, I love to watch movies. I don’t want to just sit because I’m retired. I want the knowledge,” she stated.