Meet LeDaya Epps, a Guest of the First Lady at the State of the Union

LeDaya Epps is joining the First Lady as a guest at the 2015 State of the Union address on January 20. Watch it live at 9 p.m. ET at WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU.

LEDAYA EPPS

Born in Compton, California, LeDaya was raised in the foster care system until her teenage years. After graduating high school, she had difficulty finding a stable job, bouncing from job to job as a medical assistant for years.

After hitting a few roadblocks in her life, she couldn't find the reliable work and pay she needed to take care of herself and her three children.

That all changed, however, when LeDaya completed a union apprenticeship in construction. She was one of only two women who completed the program, and she's now part of the crew building the new Crenshaw/LAX light rail line with Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors as a member of Laborers Local 300.

LeDaya lives in Compton with her three children, ages 15, 11, and 3.

The State of the Union 2015: Everything You Need to Know

• Watch the exclusive enhanced speech live at WH.gov/SOTU on Tuesday, January 20, at 9 p.m. ET.
• Visit WH.gov/SOTU to sign up for speech reminders, ask a question for post-speech follow-up, and get updates on the issues.
• The White House Is Open for Questions: Get Ready for Big Block of Cheese Day 2.0
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