Beth Mathias
Beth Mathias
Beth Mathias is a mother of two from Marion, Ohio. She works as a grant coordinator for Goodwill Industries and a direct support specialist for Bridges to Independence.
Beth's husband Curtis Mathias, works for Andersen Windows in Marion. Together the couple have two kids, 8-year-old Korbyn and 4-year-old Sophie.
Beth's struggles
"Just 10 years ago, I was homeless and I was sleeping in abandoned houses and couch-hopping between friends," Mathias said.
"As of a year ago this May, we actually paid off our house.
We have the deed to the house.
I, of course, went to college and I have an associate's degree.
I'm trying to get back into college to finish up my degree."
"Every day is still a struggle, but we've come a long way from where we started, that's for sure."
Beth Mathias will be speaking at the 2016 Democratic National Convention on July 28th, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. Beth was invited to speak at the Democratic National Convention three weeks ago by Hillary Clinton.
Beth said of the invitation "The whole thing has been a whirlwind," and that "It's just an unbelievable opportunity to just share what people like me are going through."
Beth's speech
"I'm going to discuss even though we've come a long way, we're still struggling," she said.
"We have student debt.
We have medical debt.
I'm working two jobs.
My husband's working third shift.
We're literally working 24 hours a day.
We still struggle and we need to find something that can help us out of this rut."
Endorsement of Hillary Clinton
"I think that she can generally help bring policies to the table that can help everyday people," Mathias said.
"I think she has the leadership and the know how.
She, herself, is a person like us.
She was one of us at one point and has worked her way up to where she is.
I think she brings to the table the knowledge.
I think that she would be good for our country."