Early in life, determination and hard work helped Keesa Smith-Brantley, a single mom on public assistance, graduate from college and law school. Now executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Child
Keesa Smith-Brantley's early years of motherhood give her a unique perspective when dealing with people who rely on government assistance.
Smith-Brantley was a 17-year-old high school senior when she got pregnant with her first daughter, Nesiah. She was able to graduate while still living at home with her parents. But Nesiah lived only 18 months. She had many health problems and died of kidney failure.
Smith-Brantley learned that meningitis can be passed through the birth canal, which could have been treated and possibly could have saved Nesiah.
"It was so easy to address, which was obviously devastating to know that she didn't have to suffer, she didn't have to go through all of that, but she just wasn't able to eat, wasn't able to walk.