The tiny, wood-frame house in Galveston where Tina Knowles was born and raised still stands.

Knowles grew up in the 800-square-foot home as the youngest of seven. She was poor and country, Knowles said in our interview last week.

She had a rebellious nature and a resilience passed down through generations of women. Their strength, she said, guided her through the motherhood of her two accomplished daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, the end of a 30-year marriage to Mathew Knowles in 2011, and her success as an entrepreneur.

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SEWING: Houston ISD staff labeled my kids with autism. They were wrong, and parents can push back.

For years, fans and friends have asked Knowles to write a book about her fascinating life from poverty to international acclaim as Miss Tina, a savvy businesswoman and mother figure to so many. She's finally done it with her memoir, "Matriarch," which debuts today and has been named this month's selection for Oprah Winfrey's book club.

Knowles is appearing in conversation with Kelly Rowland at Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land at 7 p.m. May 5, with special guest Grammy-winning singer Yolanda Adams.

"I actually started writing the........

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