Gretchen Wilson is now an enlightened redneck. That’s what she told a House subcommittee yesterday in testimony about adult education. A school dropout, Wilson earned her general equivalency diploma last year and discussed that experience at the hearing.

Here’s what the self-proclaimed “Redneck Woman“ told the panel:

I’m definitely walking around with a little more sense of pride than I’ve ever had because I’m not a part of that statistic anymore I’m able and educated now to hold jobs out there that I couldn’t have before, and I’m able to help my daughter with her homework.

It’s made huge differences, and mostly out there with my fans. What I’ve noticed most is when they come backstage and they shake my hand. … They tell me I’ve inspired them or their brother or their mother who have gone back and gotten their education. …

When you have the opportunity to help people, and you start to see what kind of good your celebrity can do, you start to focus on the things that matter to you. My trip up here today was simply to help people and help people get this good feeling I’ve got about myself.

My former colleagues at CNSNews.com interviewed Wilson after the hearing but unfortunately chose to ask softball questions about her predictions for “American Idol” and her future musical plans. They missed a great opportunity to get a proud redneck’s take on all of the hatred directed at rednecks, including the recent “tea party” bigotry of actress Janeane Garofalo and others.

Watch Wilson’s testimony courtesy of the House Education and Labor Committee: