She later credited her father, who had supported the women's suffrage movement, with being particularly supportive of her ambitions. She attended Hattiesburg High School, and in her senior year served as president of the debate club and edited the school yearbook and newspaper.
Her father, an advocate for women's rights, eventually acknowledged his role in fostering her goals. She attended Hattiesburg High School and during her final year was president of the debate club and editor of both the school yearbook and newspaper.