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Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Reading Comprehension for November 14
Condoleezza Rice was born on November 14, 1954, in Birmingham, Alabama. She grew up during a turbulent time in American history. The civil rights movement had brought great turmoil to her birth city. Her parents worked hard to protect their young daughter from the effects of the racism and prejudice that prevailed. However, even they couldn't keep her completely shielded from the effects. One of Condoleezza's friends was killed in the bombing at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963.
Shortly after this event, the family moved away from Birmingham. In 1965, her father, John Rice, took the job of dean of students at Stillman College. Condoleezza's grandfather had attended this school, and it held great memories for the family. Then, when Condoleezza was fourteen, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where John served as assistant dean of the University of Denver.
Condoleezza is a unique name. Her mother, an accomplished pianist, came up with the name based on an Italian musical term that means "with sweetness." Her mother taught young "Condi" how to play the piano. For many years, Condoleezza believed that music would be her life's work. She was an excellent student. At age fifteen, she graduated from high school. She enrolled as a freshman at the University of Denver in the fall after graduation. She decided to major in music with the goal of being a concert pianist.
