Growing up as a Hispanic woman I felt a lot of hatred towards me. Was it because I was Mexican or a woman? I would hear very nasty comments saying to go back to where I came from, or that I would never succeed in the world. This would have a lot of negative effects on a 10 year old girl. I started having many doubts as to what I would be able to achieve in this world. I wanted to give up in school because I saw no purpose in trying if I “was never going to succeed.” I did not believe I would be able to do well in school or go to college. However, my parents sat me down and told me that I can not let that stop me from achieving my plan from day one: becoming a pediatrician. I realized that the only way I would stop the racism and sexism, which is a very prominent social issue, I would have to prove everyone wrong. I started working very hard in school. I would challenge myself by taking all the hard classes I can, and join as many extracurriculars. I’m ended high school number two in my class, and I am attending college as a biology major on a pre-med track. I am one step closer to finally achieving my dreams, and help stop the racism and sexism I felt at a young age. In college I plan to start organizations for people of color or different genders to have a community to where they feel comfortable. We will advocate for a change in how we are treated. We will bring each other up, and help each other achieve our dreams. Also, we would host protests and seminars to talk about our struggles, and ways things can change. Also, I would create organizations for pre-med students who are people of color. I want us to be able to help each other, and educate others on how to better help us like they do for white doctors. After college, I plan to give back to the community and also hold various meetings where people can learn different ways to help decrease racism and sexism. I would also provide a safe space for any kids who were in my spot many years ago. In the end, my ultimate goal would be to influence kids that they can achieve what they want, and ignore any roadblock in the way.

Growing up as a Hispanic woman I felt a lot of hatred towards me. Was it because I was Mexican or a woman? I would hear very nasty comments saying to go back to where I came from, or that I would never succeed in the world. This would have a lot of negative effects on a 10 year old girl. I started having many doubts as to what I would be able to achieve in this world. I wanted to give up in school because I saw no purpose in trying if I “was never going to succeed.” I did not believe I would be able to do well in school or go to college. However, my parents sat me down and told me that I can not let that stop me from achieving my plan from day one: becoming a pediatrician. I realized that the only way I would stop the racism and sexism, which is a very prominent social issue, I would have to prove everyone wrong. I started working very hard in school. I would challenge myself by taking all the hard classes I can, and join as many extracurriculars. I ended high school number two in my class, and I am attending college as a biology major on a pre-med track. I am one step closer to finally achieving my dreams, and help stop the racism and sexism I felt at a young age. In college I plan to start organizations for people of color or different genders to have a community to where they feel comfortable. We will advocate for a change in how we are treated. We will bring each other up, and help each other achieve our dreams. Also, we would host protests and seminars to talk about our struggles, and ways things can change. Also, I would create organizations for pre-med students who are people of color. I want us to be able to help each other, and educate others on how to better help us like they do for white doctors. After college, I plan to give back to the community and also hold various meetings where people can learn different ways to help decrease racism and sexism. I would also provide a safe space for any kids who were in my spot many years ago. In the end, my ultimate goal would be to influence kids that they can achieve what they want, and ignore any roadblock in the way.