She had a troubled childhood , spending sixteen years in foster homes after her mother , Emma , was judged to be mentally unfit to look after her children .
Ayanna was born in San Juan , Puerto Rico , but moved to Vermont at an early age .
Ayanna had a troubled childhood , spending sixteen years in foster homes after Ayanna 's mother , Emma , was judged to be mentally unfit to look after her children .
Ayanna was born in San Juan , Puerto Rico , but moved to Vermont at an early age .