Even though we didn't need the money, I got my first job as a night clerk at a hotel in the center of the city where we lived. It wasn't a very complicated job. They trained me and I learned about the business until they made me the night manager. This made it possible to be around during the day for Jacob while he was still deciding what to do about college. I'd get home at around midnight, and my son was always awake and stayed with me as I wound down from my night.

At work, I had to wear a snug pencil skirt and white blouse, with a...