This book provides a brief account of the life and work of the founder of the Children's Defense Fund, in the form of a letter to her 3 sons and 25 lessons to live by. It discusses her childhood in segregated South Carolina in the 1940s and 1950s, the influence of her parents on her outlook, and her concept of service to others as the purpose of life. The book also discusses racial tensions in the United States and the role of parents in raising their children. The 25 lessons for life focus on such topics as: working for everything you get, setting goals, individual initiative, taking risks, taking parenting seriously, men sharing family and household responsibilities, family responsibility, honesty, fellowship, substance over style, perseverance, making a difference, life-long learning, respect for hard work, choosing friends carefully, living in the present, service to community and nation, remembering one's roots, reliability, and faith.