From Homeless to Harvard

Everyone has baggage, but Lalita Booth'sis heavier than most.

CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reports Booth can laugh now, but as a young teen she nearly destroyed her life.

Raised in Ashville, N.C., the rebellious teen says her problems all began when her parents divorced and she was sexually abused by a family acquaintance.

"That led to substance abuse, staying out all night long, and running away," Booth said.

By the time she was 18, she'd been legally emancipated from her parents, married, and had a baby.

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"When my ex joined the Army, I was responsible for taking care of myself with only a GED and no relevant job skills," Booth said.

Penniless and living out of a car, she gave up her son Kieren to his father's parents.

"I would cry myself to sleep because I missed him so much," Booth said.

The National Crittenton Foundation

That's when she grew up. She enrolled in a community college, then transferred to a four-year university. An honors student, Booth's inspiring story captured headlines.

By then, she learned to really dream big and another door opened. Booth was accepted to one of the most elite and the oldest of the Ivy Leagues: Harvard University. The 29-year-old Booth is earning a Master's degree in business and public policy.

"It's an amazing feeling," Booth said. She financed her education through 20 scholarships totaling more than half a million dollars. Now she spends her time on Capitol Hill, where she lobbies for single mothers.

Lalita is remarried and has her son back. She'll tell you, whatever baggage she once carried seems a lot lighter now.

[hateisafourletterword]

Maybe she can be President someday. She probably understands the issues facing Americans today better than anyone else in D.C. does.

Congrats to this woman for turning her life around. So it is still possible if you have the desire to make a life for yourself if you try. That should give hope to others who made some mistakes.

[momma353]

While it is admirable that this young women choose a different path, I can't help but wonder how she was ever accepted to Harvard with her background? How did get the 500,000 plus in scholarship money? Was it subsidized or is she repaying all of it back? Futhermore, what about the thousands of young girls who graduated in the top 5% of their class, never became pregnant, went on to a four year college, completed in 4 years, and got nothing in scholarships, subsidized or un-subsidized money. Sorry, but we need to reward those young women too, as Un-American as that may be....

[porcine_aviator]

Don't get too sour grapes on this VERY POSITIVE story.

Are there deserving girls that have been overlooked? You bet, I've met some of them. But hey, things ARE getting better for women, for the most part. Instead of criticizing this lady, let's instead focus our criticism on the real problems of our day...you know what I'm saying?

You don't try to shoot down this rising star, go out and find some way to help those kids that you know need it. You too can help put a kid through school, if you really want to make a difference...

[UCFKnightGirl]

I am a personal acquaintance of Ms. Booth's. She went to the same college as me. Don't assume what you don't know. She got into grad school at Harvard on a full scholarship by completing two separate degrees with honors in four years and graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA, all while raising a kid by herself, working, running a nonprofit she founded, interning for THREE members of congress, and writing a book. She graduated in the top 1% of her class. She is a celebrity on our campus, and with good reason.

[mari1963]

Her ex husbands parents sound like great people. Why didn't she stay married?????

[porcine_aviator]

Because maybe his folks were a lot better people than he was himself. who knows? Why does it matter?

Can't any of you people just be happy at this girl's success?

[NowBeWithThat]

Great story, and I'm glad for this woman. She's got grit.

But how many brilliant homeless Americans can get a half million dollars in scholarships.

[JMorelli]

Question for a question - how many have tried?

[JB268]

This is an amazing story, but what caught my attention is that she received over $500,000 in grants to finance her education. It demonstrates the outrageous cost of education in this country!

[galsmiley]

Lalita Booth should be very proud of herself. She an incredible person for what she has done. My heart goes out to her to give up her son so that she could better herself for the both of them; that was a very selfless thing to do. I wish you all the happiness and success that you deserve; and you deserve A LOT!

[Noval53]

Lalita Booth should inspire anyone that listens to or reads her extraordinary story; overcoming multiple terrible obstacles and now moving forward in absolute triumph. She will now transfer this victory and inspiration on to another generation through her son.

We're constantly bombarded in the national news with sordid stories about somebody named Lindsay or Paris that are useless fables. Lalita Booth's story is one of true importance and value that I will remember.

[quapawsix]

Prof if you don't like the way you are living then change it only you can do that.
You Go Girl

[Opinyonated]

Wow! What an AMAZING woman! She had a wonderful mind and a spirit that -- in spite of it all started to make good choices! I would love to read her story to find out who in her life inspired her -- who gave her hope -- to change her mind about the choices she was making?! And HOW incredibly difficult that must have been to had her child over to his father's parents! What a difficult decision to make! Thank God her ex-husband's parents were decent enough that she could trust them to not abuse her son!