LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE 3) — Lt. Christina Meredith's story is one to be admired, and now, she is using it to teach others.
Meredith is a survivor of child abuse, who then spent years bouncing around the foster care system, and eventually, she became homeless.
She overcame her hardships and appeared on network news, wrote a best-selling book, and won a crown on the Miss USA circuit.
"A girl like me coming from poverty and abuse and all of the things that I endured should not be where I am," Meredith told WAVE 3 News.
For all of her successes, including recently graduating from a grueling 37 day advanced camp at Fort Knox, the US Army Lieutenant credits the one constant in her life, JROTC.
"JROTC saved my life, hands down because it instilled in me a discipline that I have till this day," she said. "It's a resiliency that it takes to accomplish this type of school in the Army, can really teach you a lot about yourself."
Meredith is now teaching others through her memoir "Cinder Girl," which she wrote while living in her car. Meredith is also an advocate for policy changes to the foster care system.
