Her mother called her “laundry lady,” “stupid,” and “slut” so often that Christina Meredith rarely heard her own name as she grew up. Now Christina devotes her name to protecting abused and neglected children so no one has to have a childhood like hers.

Born into a large working-class family in upstate New York, Christina endured years of psychological and physical abuse before entering the foster care system as a teenager. With nowhere to turn after she graduated high school, Christina lived in her car for almost a year, working three jobs to survive.

As she read her Bible in her car every day, always looking over her shoulder for her birth mother, Christina had no idea that in just a few years she would be crowned Ms. California. She had no idea that her suffering would one day help others find their own healing. She did know God was faithful. And she never gave up hope for a better life.

In CinderGirl, Christina tells her incredible story of leaving behind abuse and homelessness to become Ms. California and the founder of the Christina Meredith Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides support for foster care girls living in abusive situations.

With stunning vulnerability, Christina invites us into her childhood home and the heart of a child longing to be loved. She asks us to journey with her across the country and deep into a growing faith. She invites us to know more fully a God who provides, even in the most difficult situations. CinderGirl is a gripping and inspiring story of one young woman’s determination to overcome hardship in order to help others know they are not alone and they too can find wholeness after tragedy.

Christina Meredith

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