The McCoskey Six (or Mc6) is what we like to call ourselves. We are the children of Roberta McCoskey, a woman made of steel, who raised the six of us on her own after our father abandoned us. Being raised by a single mother limited our finances and forced us to reside in government housing, also known as the projects. Lice, cockroaches and mice were unwelcomed creatures that consumed our food, our time, and our peace of mind. Food was something that we normally did not get much of, in fact sugar sandwiches were one of our luxuries.
While our mom struggled financially, many amazing people came into our lives. For example, our Aunt Juanita showed up often with food for our family, and each year she baked each of us a birthday cake. She was a wonderful woman who showed us, through her good works, that anyone can change the world. Aunt Juanita passed on, but we think of her on our birthdays and miss those special cakes.
Mc6 is going to make a mark on this world. We know we are not the only family who has endured rough times. Since the baby of the family (Debra) became pregnant at the age of 14 while living in the projects and went on to become a professor, we know the value of educating young women.
Young moms often end up feeling hopeless, but through our programs, we can end the national epidemic of uneducated parents. Our baby sister was able to beat the statistics. It wasn’t easy for her, but it was possible and it is possible for all young mothers in America.