From Strip Clubs to the Classrooms: Author Talks About Her Road to Success

HOUSTON - Deanna Wilson is a successful single mother of four children.

She works as an elementary behavior specialist for an area school district. In other words, she helps kids with problems. Deanna is no stranger to problems herself.

“Nobody has messed up more than I have,” she said.

After graduating high school but lacking self-confidence, Deanna, 37, worked as a stripper. Soon she was addicted to drugs.

By 25, she was homeless and pregnant with her second child.

“I tried to kill myself a couple times because I had truly hit rock bottom. Nobody cared about me, I just didn't see a way out, I thought God hated me,” said Wilson.

Planning to have an abortion, Deanna met a crisis counselor in Pasadena that changed her life forever. For the first time she had hopes and dreams.

“God used her to change my path because the path I was on was leading to death,” she said. Deanna did not abort her child.

Now a college graduate and working on her master's degree, Deanna has published her autobiography titled “A Wounded Daughter's Diary: Exploring God's Grace from the Strip Clubs to the Classroom.”

“I love my kids, it's because of them, it was another reason why I wanted to be a better person,” he said.

One in three babies is born to single mothers, according to the U.S. census. Wilson started the non-profit group called Mothers Raising Children Alone.

Always stressing the importance of education and faith, Deanna hopes her story can help save other lost souls.

“My future has just begun. I don't know what lies ahead of me, but I'm excited to see.”

Wilson will hold her first book signing at 2pm on March 13th at the Barnes and Noble at 5656 Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena. myfoxhouston.com