College is extremely expensive. Oftentimes I find myself discouraged from pursuing higher education by the cost alone. As the first in my family to attend college, I knew I had a challenge ahead of me. I had to learn how to navigate this world of higher education, find a way to afford it, and remain sane while doing so. Although it hasn’t been easy at all, I know it will eventually all be worth it. I refuse to allow the fear of debt to stop me from fulfilling my lifelong passion and true calling. I know that with this degree I’ll be able to help create educational resources for those in my community who desperately need them. This scholarship will not only open doors for me but my community as well. After receiving my Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, I plan on attending grad school to receive my Master’s degree in Library Science to become a librarian. I want my future career to reflect the love I have for my community. My goal in life is to introduce literature to those who live in underfunded areas and create accessible resources for those communities. Libraries gave me the ability to access so many educational tools and resources that made me into the student I am today. As a low-income child, I didn’t always have the luxury of being able to afford the books I needed for school, and sometimes our internet bill wasn’t always paid but the library provided me with that resource. I know that thousands of people are in similar positions that I once was in, who could truly benefit from these resources. I want to be able to provide the same help to people who need it and be an advocate for education in my community. Everyone deserves the chance to be able to thrive in their educational pursuits regardless of their income status. This scholarship will allow me to turn this dream into a reality. I know I have what it takes to become a positive, helpful influence in my community and I’m willing to do the work to do so. Despite the cost of college or the fear that comes with it, this degree is so much bigger than me. I’m dedicated to creating a safe space within in local libraries where anyone can thrive regardless of their social class. Being a librarian to me is much more than stocking books and managing databases, it’s about creating the much-needed resources for those in my community.

As ridiculous as it sounds, I cried deeply while watching the Barbie movie when America Ferrea’s character stated “We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they’ve come.” That line encapsulated my whole relationship with my mother. I wonder how many silent battles my mother fought to make it possible for me to have the opportunities that I do now. I sometimes tend to forget that my mother was once my age with hopes and dreams that she never was able to pursue because she spent so much time ensuring that my brother and I had a chance to pursue our own. I’d be lying if I said growing up with a single mother was easy because the truth is that it wasn’t. It was extremely difficult at times. I watched my mother constantly struggle as she attempted to leave a domestically violent marriage and raise two children on her own. I’ll never be able to understand how she was able to piece together her life after such horrific events and stay sane during the process. During all those nights spent at motels and mornings in food banks, I rarely saw my mother cry. She later told me that she refused to fall apart in front of her kids and that she wasn’t surviving for only herself but for us as well. My mother taught me how to be resilient and to continue to persevere no matter what life throws my way. She has experienced some of the worst things life had to offer and still came out on top. In moments of self-doubt, I try to mirror my mother and her ability to overcome any situation. As I watched my mother’s life throughout the years, I have instilled in myself that despite not knowing what the future may bring or where life may take me, I will survive through it and thrive. Being a child of a single mother truly gifts you with a sense of strength and adaptability that others may not have. How do I repay the woman that gave me everything, including life? I don’t think I can. I can’t imagine the fear my mother faced when she left her abuser knowing that she would be on her own with two children whose lives depended solely on her yet she did it anyway. I want to be living proof that all my mother’s sacrifices were worth it. I refuse to not take advantage of the life and opportunities that she gave me because what I do with my life and who I become will be all thanks to her.

As a Black woman in America, I often feel as though the odds are against me. The fear of being written off as another stereotype consumes me. Black children are often told that they must work twice as hard to receive half of what their White peers have. It’s crucial that I make something of myself, not only for me but for those who come from backgrounds like mine. None of the Black women in my family have ever received a college education so navigating this new world of higher education is all new to me. I feel out of place sometimes as if I’m not meant to be here. Despite my years of hard work, I tend to doubt myself and question if I’m truly deserving of the education I’m receiving. I know the fear that I feel stems from stereotypes and the unknown of the future but it still feels very real. Imposter syndrome can be extremely debilitating when the world is constantly telling you who you are and what you aren’t capable of. The ability to rise above this fear and pursue my dreams will open the door for others like me to do the same. By continuing to pursue my education, I know that I’m allowing myself the chance to break out of the cycle of poverty. I hope that I’m able to become a role model for other Black women in my family. To ensure them that despite our backgrounds, we can still rise above. Regardless of how society portrays us or the negative beliefs that we internalize, we have the ability to create our own future. I want my future career to reflect the love I have for my community. My goal in life is to introduce literature to those who live in underfunded areas and create accessible resources for those communities. I know that I’m going to face a lot of adversity on my path for the mere fact that I’m a Black woman. I’m no stranger to microaggressions and being counted out because of who I am but I refuse to give up and let my efforts be in vain. This action of accomplishing my goals is bigger than myself. It’s for the Black girls that never had the chance to see their dreams come to fruition. I want to be a positive reflection of my community and change the narrative. I genuinely hope that Black children can look at me and think to themselves, “If she can make it, I know I can too”.

The dream version of my future self is somewhere thriving, content, and grateful that she never gave up on her dreams regardless of how many times she wanted to.

Being a first-generation college student comes with a multitude of obstacles. It’s sometimes difficult for me to focus on school because I’m so worried about the financial strain that obtaining this degree has put on my mother and I. My mother raised my brother and I completely alone. Although she struggled with finances, she always encouraged me to pursue a higher education. She never wanted me to feel as though our circumstances should stop me from achieving my goals. In addition to me taking out various student loans and working full time, my mother is doing everything she can to help financially with affording this degree. Even with both our efforts combined, I’ll still be graduating with a hefty amount of debt. I refuse to allow the cost of a college education scare me out of receiving the degree I am working so hard for. The most important thing my mother has taught me is that my resilience and hard work will eventually pay off. The act of pursuing this degree is so much bigger than me. By continuing to push through despite the obstacles, I’m showing myself and others in similar positions as me that we can rise above. I know that I have the ability to beat the odds. I want my future career to reflect the love I have for my community. My goal in life is to introduce literature to those who live in underfunded areas and create accessible resources for those communities. As a librarian, I’ll be able to introduce books and free educational resources to those in my community who are usually overlooked by society. With this degree, I can help open the door to education to so many lower income children who grew up in situations like mine. Without resources like my local library, I truly don’t know where I would be in my education journey today. They provided me with textbooks, internet access and a safe place to study when I needed it the most. I have a responsibility to give back to the community that gave me so much.

A plant-based lifestyle is the most selfless lifestyle one can live. Veganism is actively choosing to limit cruelty not only for the animals but for the environment as well. It is the kindest way of living. As a vegetarian for the past twelve years, I find myself wanting to make more cruelty-free choices in all aspects of my life. Our time on Earth is extremely limited so it’s important that we use it to be as impactful as possible. The state of our environment relies heavily on the choices we make within the next decade. Due to climate change and high greenhouse gas emissions, the act of participating in a vegan lifestyle is a dire one. We may not be able to completely reverse the damage that has been done but each of us can find ways to implement cruelty-free choices for the sake of our future. The great thing about living in the twenty-first century is that I have access to a plethora of vegan options. From makeup to plant-based burgers at fast-food restaurants, vegan options are now becoming accessible everywhere. I believe the general public carries around a misconception of what veganism actually is. Veganism has a bad rap due to the lack of education on the matter. People often associate veganism with the false belief that it is merely a restrict dietary option. The true essence of veganism is compassion and that compassion doesn’t limit our world, it opens it. I often try to convenience my friends to try out vegan-friendly restaurants with me and though they may roll their eyes at the thought of it, they usually end up loving the meal and the experience. I might not be able to change everyone’s beliefs about living a plant-based lifestyle but I can help introduce them into making small changes for the greater good. Although I’m already a vegetarian, I want to challenge myself to live a more vegan lifestyle. Not only will it have positive effects on my health and quality of life but I’ll be helping the environment as well. Veganism allows me to do my part in protecting our Earth and minimizing my carbon footprint. I generally feel helpless when it comes to helping the planet because I feel as though I’m just one person and my impact won’t make a difference but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The preservation of our planet depends on us.

I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder in 2018. It was difficult coming to terms with the diagnosis but I knew it was the first step into getting the care that I desperately needed. Although I was in a very fortunate position to receive the help I needed, I realized that a majority of Black people do not have their mental health concerns taken seriously by medical professionals. Black people suffering from mental health crises often fall through the cracks in society. If I had the ability to make mental health care affordable and accessible to those in need, I would focus on changing the negative stigma around mental health in the Black community as well as creating free adequate health care resources in underfunded communities. The Black community is known for our strength and resilience despite years of oppression but sometimes we struggle to ask for help. I would personally start by informing families that receiving help for mental health needs is nothing to be ashamed of. In addition, I would add easily accessible resource buildings equipped with mental health professionals in predominantly POC communities. Accessible health care shouldn’t be viewed as a luxury because, in actuality, it is a necessity.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is a novel that belongs on everyone’s bookshelf. Although it’s an emotionally taxing read, it’s a necessary one. Through her expressive writing, Morrison is able to illustrate the horrors of racism and the harsh reality of those subjected to it. The novel, set in the Jim Crow era, follows the tragic life of a young African American girl named Pecola who dreams to be anything but herself. The Bluest Eye forces readers to confront the biases that they hold towards others as well as biases that they hold towards themselves. It examines how being isolated and ostracized from society can cause someone harmful long-lasting effects for the rest of their life. This novel had a lasting impression on me because I related so deeply to the main character. Growing up as an African American girl in a world intent on placing stereotypes on me, I often found myself struggling with my sense of self. It was hard to differentiate my true self from the false labels given to me. This book showcases the reality of what it’s like to be hated for being different. It’s a lesson we all need to learn on how we shouldn’t internalize the way that the world may see us. In addition, this novel forces us to challenge ourselves on how we judge others. The world would be a more loving place if we all thought about how our actions and biases can hurt those around us. I believe we can all learn from this book.

The books I’ve read throughout my lifetime have taught me that literature is the catalyst for understanding empathy. Books have the ability to spark such raw human emotions within us. Though my life may differ from the characters that I read about, I’m still given the chance to place myself in their shoes. I’ve met people with lives completely different than mine yet we’ve bonded over our love for the same novel. Literature has a way of removing all limitations when it comes to human connection. Regardless of our social status, race, or the various languages that we may speak, books are our connecting link. Books have taught me that we’re not as alone as we think we are. Reading allows us to connect not only with one another but with ourselves as well. Libraries were my first introduction to this phenomenon. My mother, raising two children alone and struggling, turned to her only resource at the time which was our local library. My brother and I didn’t always have the opportunity to take part in expensive after-school extracurriculars but we always had the library. The library was the one consistent place I had growing up despite having to constantly move around town when my mother couldn’t afford to pay the rising rent costs. I’d be able to lose myself in a book and forget about my circumstances at home. I’ll never forget the librarians that hosted storytimes and arts & craft hour, they created such positive memories for me during a difficult time. When my world felt so limited, books gave me the power to exist in other ones. The library was where I found peace in the darkest times and my goal in life is to create that same safe space for others in my community. By pursuing a career in Library Science, I’ll be able to help bring this love of literature to others. I want to become one of those librarians that I idolized deeply as a child. The passion for books that they instilled in me is something that I’ll always be grateful for. Without them, I honestly don’t know where I’d be today. My experiences at the library truly impacted me and I want to be able to pass that on to the next generation. Being a librarian to me is much more than stocking books and managing databases, it’s about creating the much-needed resources for those in my community.