Throughout her life, Butterfly McQueen has made education a top priority. As early as 1946 she began taking courses in political science, Spanish, drama, dance, and music, first at the City College of Los Angeles and then at the University of California at Los Angeles, Southern Illinois University, Queen's College, and New York University. In June of 1975, at the age of 64, she was one of 3,500 students to receive a bachelor's degree during commencement ceremonies at New York's City College. She has ... devoted much of her time and energy to community service work, helping out in the offices of city politicians and serving as a playground supervisor at an elementary school in Harlem. "Show business is only my hobby," she said in an interview with People. "My main job is community work."