As a teen, my bad decisions led me to the streets. I wandered the U.S. and eventually Mexico, where many live without suitable shelter or access to clean water. Unfortunately, it is a common situation around the globe. I met people who exhibited incredible resourcefulness, kindness, and humility. They showed me that those who have the least area are often willing to give the most. I saw the best parts of humanity, but also the worst. Facing the darker parts gave me strength and resilience. Surviving taught me that anything is possible with enough willingness and determination. I wanted to improve people's lives while lessening our environmental impact. I saw the beauty in mathematics and fell in love with physics, which led me to engineering. I did not realize the extent of the gender imbalance that remains in the field until I took my first Engineering Design course. Women bring a different perspective, and it is vital to have our voices heard. Massive technological advances are quickly reshaping the world we live in, and the more advanced our technology becomes, the more ethical concerns we face. Our decisions will impact everyone, so everyone must be heard. Some people think we shouldn’t worry about the health of our planet, but I disagree. We should work to be in harmony with our environment, remembering that the damage we do tends to fall on those less fortunate. We share the Earth, and it is time realize the insignificance of our differences. We can set a new standard of living and transform society, creating a brighter future if we recognize our common goals.