Dr. Minnie Boyer Woodruff grew up in a Central Florida family of eight children headed by two domestic workers during a time when segregation limited opportunities for individuals of color. Despite its humble origins, the Boyer household was replete with parental beliefs that one must love God, develop a strong work ethic, and take advantage of every opportunity that would enable one to make a living with brains rather than brawn. From the stories of Minnie's youth, one can see how this background shaped a woman who remained dedicated to achieving her dreams and then those of her daughters behind her.