Coming from a Ghanaian household, the women in my family are expected to do it all. I watched my mother juggle cooking, cleaning, childcare, and church responsibilities while constantly lamenting her lack of personal time. Despite her strength and dedication, I saw the toll it took on her mental health. As the only undocumented sibling among four others, much of the household responsibility fell on me. I was teaching Sunday school, caring for my nieces and nephews, and maintaining the home, all while taking one community college class at a time with my father footing the bill. Over time, I stopped prioritizing myself entirely, pushing my needs aside and losing my sense of identity. I was unhappy and trapped in a cycle of self-neglect. When I received my green card in August 2024, I thought my struggles would end. However, the green card didn’t magically erase my challenges; instead, it exposed the deeper issues I had ignored. Throughout my undocumented journey, I found solace and inspiration in yoga and video essays about social issues. Yoga gave me a chance to step away from the noise of daily life and focus solely on myself. Whether it was a yin yoga session to unwind or a power yoga flow to energize, each practice reminded me that putting myself first wasn’t selfish—it was necessary. Meanwhile, video essays on feminism and societal norms expanded my perspective, freeing me from others' perceptions of what a woman should be. These tools helped me redefine self-care and reclaim my sense of self. For the first time, I began to see myself outside of caregiving roles and societal expectations. Fall 2024 marked a turning point in my academic journey: I earned all A’s for the first time. The difference wasn’t just effort; it was belief. I saw myself as capable, worthy, and deserving of success. Self-care became more than indulging in a snack or movie after a long day. It became about making intentional choices that nourished my mind and future—studying because it strengthens my intellect, walking while listening to empowering essays because it boosts my health and ambition. These practices have not only transformed my academics but also deepened my connection with my mother. Seeing her sacrifices through a lens of compassion rather than frustration has brought us closer than ever. Our strengthened bond fuels my desire to advocate for women worldwide, helping them break free from the burdens of societal expectations. As a psychology major and future OB/GYN, I aim to preach the importance of self-improvement and self-care. Women deserve to pursue their interests outside of traditional roles and find fulfillment on their own terms. My journey has taught me that I don’t need to be everything to everyone—I just need to be enough for myself. This mindset has restored my confidence and reshaped my aspirations. I want to inspire other women to prioritize themselves, to see beyond the confines of caregiving and societal pressures, and to embrace the power of self-care. I am committed to being a voice for women, encouraging them to reclaim their lives and redefine what it means to “do it all.” Mental health is foundational to everything I’ve achieved and hope to accomplish. By prioritizing my well-being, I’ve unlocked potential I didn’t know I had. My story is proof that when we invest in ourselves, we not only grow. We thrive.

The spirit of community service has been deeply ingrained in my life since childhood, nurtured by my upbringing within a supportive church community. Witnessing the transformative power of helping others, I embarked on a remarkable journey in 2014 when our church congregation rallied to assist a drought-stricken village in Babila, Ghana. This essay explores the profound impact we made in Babila and how it has shaped my aspirations for the future. Growing up, my family and the church instilled in me the values of selflessness and compassion. Acts of kindness, such as my parents' tireless efforts as pastors, exemplified the power of community service. These experiences became the guiding principles of my life, shaping my commitment to serving others. The village of Babila faced severe challenges due to drought, storms, and pervasive corruption. It was a community already struggling to sustain itself, and these calamities further exacerbated their plight. However, through a fortunate connection between our church and the village pastor, we seized the opportunity to help. With unwavering faith and despite our limited resources, we embarked on a mission to assist the village. Our first task was to rebuild their church, which had been destroyed by the relentless weather conditions. The church held a special place in the hearts of the villagers, symbolizing their faith and sense of community. Through innovative fundraisers organized by our church, we collected the necessary funds to reconstruct the church, providing a beacon of hope and unity for the entire village. Yet, our commitment to Babila extended beyond the church reconstruction. Recognizing their ongoing needs, we initiated various initiatives to provide sustained support. Our church congregation diligently collected essential supplies, such as clothing, soap, books, textbooks, shoes, and feminine hygiene products, ensuring that these necessities reached those who needed them the most. The outpouring of support from our community resulted in over 500 shipments sent to Babila, helping to alleviate their immediate struggles. Our collective efforts had a profound impact on the village, revitalizing its community spirit. Despite the challenges we faced, we persisted with determination, fueled by unity, compassion, and faith. Witnessing the transformative power of our actions deepened my understanding of the potential for positive change through community service. It reinforced my belief that even in the face of daunting odds, a united community can bring about meaningful transformation. Reflecting on the lessons learned from our partnership with the village of Babila, my aspirations for the future have become intertwined with a greater purpose. I recognize the multifaceted challenges faced by communities like Babila and feel a deep desire to address them. I understand that education holds the key to equipping myself with the necessary knowledge and skills to effect positive change. The scholarship I am seeking not only supports my educational pursuits but also represents the extra push I need to overcome barriers and persist in the face of adversity. It is an opportunity to further develop myself so that I can contribute to addressing the challenges faced by communities like Babila and create a lasting impact. In conclusion, the transformative power of community service is evident in the story of Babila. It has shaped my aspirations, highlighting the importance of education and the role I can play in addressing the challenges faced by communities. I remain steadfast in my commitment to serve others, overcome obstacles, and create a lasting impact that extends far beyond any single community

From the earliest days of my life, the spirit of community service has woven its way through the very fabric of my existence, nurtured by the invaluable support extended to me and ingrained in my upbringing within the warm embrace of the church. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of extending a helping hand to those in need. Whether it was the tireless efforts of my parents serving as pastors, sorting through the housing needs of undocumented church members, resolving family and marital issues, providing rides for the disabled, or the collective acts of kindness from our church community, the ethos of selflessness and compassion became the guiding principles by which I live my life. In the year 2014, a small village nestled in the northern region of Babila, Ghana, endured the the devastating impact of a drought, followed by a relentless series of tropical storms and severe weather conditions. The village, already struggling to sustain itself, was left in a state of utter helplessness when its cherished church structure was obliterated. Compounding their woes, the pervasive corruption in Ghana prevented them from receiving any meaningful assistance. However, in the midst of their despair, a glimmer of hope emerged. The village pastor, in a remarkable twist of fate, had a longstanding relationship with my father, who happened to be the current and founder pastor of our church. Recognizing the dire situation and fueled by unwavering faith, our church congregation rallied together to extend a lifeline to the distressed village. It was a tough task, considering our own modest resources and the formidable challenges we faced. But armed with an unyielding trust in God, we embarked on a collective mission to rebuild what was lost. Through a series of innovative church fundraisers, we managed to raise enough funds to reconstruct the roof of their church, symbolizing the restoration of hope and community spirit. Yet, our commitment to the village did not end there. Recognizing their ongoing needs, we orchestrated numerous initiatives to provide sustained support. Our efforts transcended monetary contributions, as we endeavored to address their essential requirements. We diligently collected and sent supplies such as clothing, soap, books, textbooks, shoes, and feminine hygiene products, ensuring that these necessities reached those who needed them the most. To this day, our dedication has resulted in over 500 shipments. I witnessed firsthand the immense impact that a united community, driven by compassion and determination, can achieve. The experience not only deepened my appreciation for the power of collective action but also highlighted the potential we possess to bring about meaningful transformation, even in the face of daunting odds. Reflecting on the lessons learned from our partnership with the village of Babila, my aspirations to pursue a scholarship and further, my education becomes intertwined with a greater purpose. I yearn to equip myself with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the multifaceted challenges faced by communities like theirs. In essence, the impact of community service has shaped my life, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to continue serving others, overcoming obstacles, and creating a positive ripple effect that resonates far beyond the confines of any single community. As an undocumented immigrant, I face numerous barriers in a country that prides itself on freedom, making it exceedingly challenging to reach the heights I aspire to achieve since legally I can’t even work. This scholarship not only holds the potential to support my educational pursuits but also represents the extra push I need to persist in the face of adversity.

What truly is a smile-is it an authentic expression of one's feelings or is it a mask one dons at a moment's notice? During sophomore year, my smile was the latter— it only told the story of what I wanted people to see. I smiled through it all: my contradicting feelings of knowing I could do better but being complacent in my situation, my desperation to be above average in school, and anxiousness about my future. Day after day passed as I felt a heaviness upon my back. The weight was compounded by the ingredients of my own identity: female, black, studying at a small school, and constantly battling imposter syndrome. I soon realized I could turn these “blanks” of mine into ammo. For my community, my home, my school, and the beautiful children I teach at my church. Junior year, I decided to seek support and become better. I knew that I could either pick myself up or continue to wallow in my sadness. When others smile at me, I know that I want to genuinely smile back at them rather than putting on a grinning facade. The Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP) at Harvard Medical School enabled me to learn about the vast disparities in healthcare especially with mental health. It was the first time I was immersed in a sea of peers who shared a wide range of backgrounds and some that echoed with my own: I finally understood that Iack of coming from a privileged family is not a detriment or barrier to my success and that doctors are not the only ones who can work to improve other’s lives. To be surrounded by people who look like me and stem from different backgrounds whilst doing what I dream to do was eye-opening and insightful. This formative experience helped me transform. I become more keenly aware of my surroundings and my own abilities. I wanted to continue to use what I’ve acquired to make a difference. In a world that had been confined to my bedroom since March 2020, I wondered how to contribute my part to the wreckoning about inequalities in healthcare and on the stigmatization of mental health. I settled on starting with what I know: social media and my immediate contacts. I knew my best chance at getting at people's hearts was to start with those who I know. I started sharing more articles on social issues and mental health on Instagram and grew a following. I will continue to spread awareness through those means. The injustices revealed in healthcare, immigration, and basic human rights reminded me exactly why I want to help to build a more just world for all, especially those who are most vulnerable.