Born on Sept, 24 in the year of 1946 to the McCloud family in Chicago, Lucinda had four siblings – three sisters and one brother. Her father worked as a merchandise in the city while her mother was a housemaker. First 6 years of her life were spent in Chicago and the next six in Connecticut. She remembers how they rode their bikes to their elementary school and spent their vacations at their grandma’s place in Maryland playing sardines. She had a very big family comprising of uncles, aunts, cousins and they would get together each year during holidays and have fun around the house treasure hunting or swimming.
When asked about her role model in her childhood, she says she admired her great grandmother. The reason for that, was her bold nature. Her grandmother was an independent thinker and she spoke her mind out. Quite opinionated for the women in that era. She also esteemed David Crockett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Crockett) because of his adventurous nature.
Those were the times when women were educated, not to make a career, but to be good wives and mothers. They were supposed to look cute, dress well, but not outsmart the boys. At most they could be teachers or nurses. But Cindy knew she wanted to be neither, yet something. She led a normal childhood of going to school, coming back and playing with her siblings, planning her college life. Yes, like every other person, the child in her longed to become a teenager and live the worry-free college life! Cindy studied at University of Georgia and did not worry about her major until second year. Spent her first year having fun, joining the sorority, partying with her friends. She even attended the debutant which is an event when the father walks his daughter down the ballroom and presents her proudly to the society. As an Indian I could see the similarity of cultures here – There was a custom during mythical times called “Swayanvar” where the bride would choose her groom amongst the able-eligible men in the country.
Well, it was about time when Cindy had to make her decision to choose her major and she woke up to the world issues –the Vietnam war and immigration problems which stirred the melting pot. She made up her mind to major in political science and started working as a planner with the State of Georgia. That was her first job experience. After graduation, she was tested for two jobs – computer specialist and planner and she got selected as a planner first which steered the rest of her career.
She received her first salary check of $500. Happy-go-lucky as our Cindy was, she bought a Volkswagen Beetle for herself and moved into a new apartment. In her process of hopping from Atlanta to Washington and then to Vermont, working as a planner for various organizations, she decided to settle down and get married. After her marriage, she had two kids – two cute boys 5 years apart. And she took a break from her work life and stayed home during the first few years of their growing up and experienced the joy of motherhood. She admits that there were difficult times, but the love for kids and their company compensated for all.
Lets see what happens next in our bubbly Cindy's life.
