The unemployment rate is at an all time high and there are women from all walks of life who are willing to shed their inhibitions (and their clothes) in order to put food on the table and a roof over their family’s heads.

[READ: Is Stripping A Recession Proof Profession?]

People with advanced degrees can’t even make ends meet in this economy, and MSNBC has documented one such account of an attorney turned “topless dancer” to pay her bills.

In Atlanta, it seems that stripping is THE number one alternative for unemployed women who have the body and the nerve to “shake what their mama gave them.” but how shocked would you be to see your Attorney sliding down that pole at Onyx or Magic City?

One such attorney, Carla, got her law degree 10 years ago and has faced a few financial challenges since obtaining her degree.

Student loans, debt, a layoff and unemployment left the legal eagle with few options.? Now with all those years of college under her belt, Carl finds herself in an almost unbelievable position, dancing in a topless bar for tips!

“Did I ever think I?d be taking my top off for rent money? No. I was in my mid-30s and had never danced before,” said Carla, who asked that we use her stage name and withhold her identity and some personal details.

“As a little girl, I never thought to myself, ‘I just want to grow up and be a stripper,? or, ?All I ever wanted to do in life is climb in the lap of sweaty stranger and take my top off.’

“But, with our economy the way it is, especially in smaller cities … you strip or you starve.”

“you strip or you starve”?? Wow… that’s an awfully powerful statement.? What about relocating? Offering private consulting… or hell… starting a blog??

Seems like the easy way out to me.? If stripping doesn’t pay all the bills then what?

Carla goes on to note that she’s not the only one. This harsh economy has forced a lot of women to shake that “A”zz for some cash…

“I work with war widows, a nurse, a med student, women who have had to go to work to save their home after their husbands have lost their jobs, and others who do this as a means to an end and who do not fit the profile of junkie/prostitute/dancer.

What we?all have in common is being?in a tight spot financially and living in an economy that provides limited options right now, ” she said.? “I’d be willing to bet that there are women like me working in it all over the country, out of necessity and not because our goal in life was to appear topless in front of ? creepy guys.”

I’m sure no one grows up with a desire to shake their tata’s in front of Gucci Mane, but we all have choices.? Crazy thing is… if that’s the choice you decide to make, there are strip clubs that target professional females, as evidenced by this craigslist ad…

How far would you go to pay the bills?

Would you trade in your 9-5 to be a stripper?

Read MSNBC’s Full Article: Lawyer Turns Topless to Pay Bills