Cary Martin, left, at a Presidential Forum in De Moines,Iowa. photo by steed media service

Cary Martin is a testimony to the many urban miracles waiting to manifest every day. As a homeless child, she lived on the streets of Chicago and later became a ward of the state as well as a young, single mother. But she fused those discordant circumstances and painted a portrait of success. Martin is now a lawyer and community advocate. In fact, prior to the Iowa Caucus, the associate attorney for Sidney & Austin Law Firm, spoke before the presidential candidates in Des Moines.

“First, my mother provided me with that foundation in order to succeed. She taught me how to read books. She gave me access to dance lessons and music lessons,” says Martin, who’s also a board member of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. “Secondly, the state and government did help me tremendously. I was able to go to [a state college] without paying tuition, because I was a ward of the state. When I was in law school, I received free medical care for me and my son.” Now Martin spends her free time helping youngsters who face the same setbacks she once endured.

“There are many more examples of me. Although my story provides evidence that help does exist, we need to have more help available for those who don’t have the foundation that I was given from my mother,” she says. “These people are so gifted and talented that when they’re self-sufficient and when they’re given that opportunity, we’ll see that our world will be a better place.” -terry shropshire

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