I’m Judy. I’m a native Cincinnatian and have been a widow for many years. I don’t have a high school diploma, but I’ve raised two grown daughters who make me proud every day. And I think they’re proud of me.
I left high school at 16 to get a job, and I haven’t stopped working since.
At 18, I joined the Navy and married a sailor who was a good father, but not such a good husband and we divorced. I worked as a bar tender in a lot of restaurants and bars in my day – including the Carousel in Roselawn when it was one of the nicest, most popular places in town.
When I was about 40. I quit the bar work scene. I’m a recovering alcoholic and this is my 37th year of sobriety!
When you wonder what can people do without a college education, these are some of what I’ve done to support myself and my family. I got training to work in a machine shop and worked at G.E. Aviation for 7 ½ years. I went to training school and worked driving bulldozers and earth moving equipment. I worked at a sawmill.
I have done housekeeping and custodial for some great companies – Cincinnati Public Schools, University Hospital and the Gramercy downtown. I’ve also cleaned at apartment houses. At one place, I even bought my own shovel for some outdoor cleaning up that needed doing.
Anytime I was out of work and looking for a new job, I came to Dress for Success to get outfitted and encouraged for an interview. I knew I could find work. I was dependable and hard working and willing to be trained.
Most recently, I have been working with Vantage, a non-profit for seniors. It’s a great place, and they are paying their employees during the pandemic, even me, while I am staying safe mostly in the house. Thank you, Dress for Success.
