Family Dynamics and Parental Influences

Key Insight

The Altman family settled in Clayton's Hillcrest neighborhood, where Connie initially deferred her dream of starting her own dermatology practice due to young children. She joined Dr. Lawrence Samuels' practice, demonstrating an exceptional work ethic by returning to work just two weeks after giving birth to her fourth child, Annie. Jerry, meanwhile, struggled to establish himself in St. Louis, consulting in distant locations like New Orleans and Palm Beach County, where he helped develop housing for a poor Black community that lacked basic public utilities like water or sewers, located half an hour from Mar-a-Lago.

Jerry pioneered a 'Consensus Organizing Institute,' advocating for a less combative approach to community development by partnering with local banks to invest in affordable housing. However, St. Louis proved unreceptive; Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr. philosophically opposed using the city's $20 million federal block grant for affordable housing, instead allocating most of it to administrative patronage jobs and affluent neighborhoods. Jerry publicly noted 'an imbalance currently between resources and commitment to the downtown as compared to the neighborhoods, particularly poor neighborhoods,' and lamented St. Louis's lack of corporate and foundation commitment compared to cities like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Kansas City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Washington.

Jerry's extensive travel caused significant tension in the marriage, as Connie resented being left to raise four young children while he was away evenings and weekends. After Annie's birth, Jerry ceased traveling and took a local nonprofit job focusing on real estate development in poorer neighborhoods, often preserving historic architectural sites. Connie then successfully launched her own dermatology practice, working four days a week, but still grappled with managing family responsibilities, famously stating, 'We were told we could have it all. It is not true.' Despite internal family dynamics that included competition for 'Mom's favorite,' Connie prioritized daily family dinners and games, fostering a close-knit environment where Sam was noted for his precocious comfort in the adult world and unwavering respect for his mother's rules.