The pandemic started for me with no job opportunities in sight. The lack of a career and purpose made me feel worthless. I felt so much shame for not being able to find a job and living on my parents’ dollar. My physical and mental health went into a decline. As I tried to eat my problems away, I gained 20 pounds and ended up in the hospital. Changes had to be made. I began to make healthier meals, substituting junk for fruits and vegetables. I made an effort to do any physical activity, from daily walks to hour-long cardio sessions. As for my career, I convinced the pharmacy manager at my local Publix to hire me as a pharmacy technician. I quickly found myself falling in love with the profession. I finally lost the 20 pounds I gained at the beginning of the pandemic. And I have truly taken the plunge into a pharmacy career. I applied to Florida Atlantic University and registered for the science courses needed for pharmacy school. I am excited to return to school in Fall 2021. My heart is set on having a fulfilling life as a pharmacist who cares deeply about patient wellbeing.

During my undergraduate years, I conducted research and wrote a literature review of how society influences rape culture. The results were astonishing. There is a staggering misunderstanding of the causes of rape or the motives of the rapists. In my research paper, I discussed a study that was conducted in which participants were separated into two groups and were presented with different photos of a woman. One photo showed the woman sitting in a chair with a turtleneck sweater and pants that covered her whole legs. The other photo showed the same woman, only this time she was wearing a body-hugging, short dress and heels while lying provocatively on a bed. When asked if they would help the woman if she was being sexually harassed or assaulted, the participants that saw the provocative photo were less likely to offer aid to the woman. This is an example of sexual objectification. The woman wearing a dress was viewed as a sexual object, and was therefore undeserving of help if she was about to be raped. The common excuse that people use is that she was “asking for it” by wearing provocative clothing. How can we empower women when we don’t even see them as human beings? Sexual empowerment in women should be a priority for all individuals. Women should not be afraid that they will get raped if they wear certain types of clothing. Social justice education should be at the forefront in the minds of the next generation of students. It is imperative that we discuss how rape is an act of power. It involves the rapist asserting dominance over the victim. It has nothing to do with the victim’s clothing or how they choose to express themselves. The age-old habit of victim-blaming must cease. We desperately need to educate students about rape influences and how to protect women. I explored solutions in my research paper and the one that I found most unique and effective was a social movement known as “The V-Day Movement.” This movement was founded by V, formerly Eve Ensler, when she came up with the idea to write a play known as "The Vagina Monologues," which showcases women telling their stories about sexuality, rape and abuse, and survival. Its success led to V launching an entire social movement dedicated to educating people with the play and raising awareness about violence against women. It is through art that V was able to effectively educate the audience. These changes need to be active and earnest. I believe that there should be courses in which these topics are taught and discussed openly. This would prevent the social stigma that we cannot talk about rape or sexual abuse. These courses will empower women to understand how to protect themselves and educate men on how to respect women. By having these courses, we can combat the dangerous mindset of women as sexual objects who can be used for pleasure and power. I also believe that more art related to women’s stories should be promoted and celebrated. Colleges can hold productions of “The Vagina Monologues” and allow women to share their experiences. We should also encourage artists to create their own pieces that raise awareness about violence against women. It is our responsibility to advocate for the empowerment and protection of women and it can be done if we use the powerful tools of education or art.