For some, to say that Alice Carleton, 64, is a woman of many talents is an understatement. During the  day she is a social work student and works in the mathematics department. She has survived abuse, was in the army and published a book, among other accomplishments.

Carleton grew up in Maine in a house that she describes as a “code violation.”

“There was no phone, no car, no refrigerator and no bathroom,” she said. “My mother was a single parent when nobody had a single parent. My only opportunity was staying in a little town and working at a factory.”

Carleton moved to San Francisco to join the Women’s Army Corps during the Vietnam War instead.

“It was major culture shock,” Carleton said. “I had never seen a person of another race before, so it was life lessons and nothing I ever learned in a book.”

During the three years that she spent in the army, Carleton also experienced years of verbal abuse from her then husband and a lack of support from her church.

“Verbal abuse is literally brainwashing,” she said. “Techniques used in POW camps are the same ones abusers use. Of course they’re not sophisticated enough to know that, but it’s all concentrated on one thing which is to control somebody.”

Carleton credit’s Patricia Evan’s book “The Verbally Abusive Relationship” as the key to taking control of her life.

“I think it’s a book that should be required reading for everyone,” Carleton said. “Even therapists will miss the dynamics of verbal abuse because abusers are very manipulative with charm and fool a lot of people. We need a program in every elementary school to teach children basic respect, because if you respect someone, you won’t abuse them.”

Carleton turned to poetry as a way of sharing her story with others that were, or have experienced abuse.

“The poetry just started pouring out of me,” she said. “I’ve always been able to make something good out of the ashes. No matter what has been bad, I’ve been able to turn it around and make something positive out of it.”

Carleton’s poetry led to her first published book, “Sanctuary of the Soul: Poems of Anguish, Healing, Hope, Comfort and Celebration” and her writing has led to multiple endorsements from notable people around the globe.

Elie Wiesel, a Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor, wrote, “I read your volume of extended verse with much interest. It reflects the depth of your experience and your compassionate response to suffering.”

One of her most striking endorsements came from a anonymous fan who wrote, “She stopped me from committing suicide and gave me a reason to live.”

Carleton attributes her success to her readers.

“It’s very humbling, that’s the only way I can describe it,” Carleton said. “I’m always saying that angels show up in my life.”

One of those angels is her third grade teacher, who she stayed in contact with till her death at 97 last year and who she dedicated her poetry book to.

“She was one of the amazing people in my life,” Carleton said. “I just adored her and she understood me because I was an artistic type. I’ve always kept in touch with my friends. I just think it’s important to nurture your relationships.”

Carleton’s hard work led to her winning a Linda Lael Miller scholarship for women three years ago, which has allowed her to study for her bachelor’s degree at Oakland University while working in the mathematics and statistics department.

“I was one of 20 recipients out of 1700 applicants in the United States,” she said.

Carleton is using the scholarship to study social work, a cause very close to her heart.

“I chose the social work program because if I get a master’s degree then I can do private counseling, and that’s what I want to do.”

Carleton is currently working on her next book, which is a memoir that is 10 years in the making, about her life growing up, and is titled “Ghost Child to Triumph.”

The topics are sometimes hard for her to revisit, but she recognizes that they made her the strong woman she is today.

“I guess in a way I’m almost glad I grew up that way because I appreciate things that people never even think about. I had to pull myself up by my bootstraps and make my way in the world.”

To read more about Carleton, read her endorsements, or order her book, visit www.soulpoetry.org