Growing up as a first-generation catholic Mexican American and as a woman in the US is rigorous. To my family, I neither spoke Spanish nor English. I was neither Mexican nor just American. At home, I grew up with the rule of only talking with my boyfriend three days a week for a maximum of an hour, not being able to lock my door or wear a tampon until marriage even for swim practice, and being forced into daily readings, prayers, sermons, mass, being burned out, binge-eating at midnight, sleeping at 2:55 am to earn my A+ with the teacher’s comments. I have learned that even when people force their views or invalidate me, I stay with what I believe. This home is what shapes me today, it's made me tough, courageous, and a hard worker. Due to the home, I grew up with, the identity I forcefully grew up in has impacted my free thinking, creativity, and the pursuit of further education to make my community and family proud. Due to the home, I grew up in, has shaped my life to follow the medical field to help children just like me and prove to my family women can do anything, breaking generational trauma, and sexism. As a Hispanic woman, my family has constantly told me not to go to college, to just continue the cycle of poverty, the no access to education, and no support for my family or my future. Feminism, for me, is about challenging the traditional roles and expectations that have been imposed on us by a patriarchal society. It is about recognizing and resisting how our gender, race, and culture intersect to create unique experiences of oppression and marginalization. For many Hispanic women, feminism is important because it s not just about fighting for gender equality, but also about reclaiming our cultural heritage and challenging how it has been distorted and appropriated by mainstream society. It is about recognizing our agency and power as women of color and using that power to challenge the systems of oppression that seek to silence us. One of the key aspects of Chicana feminism is the concept of "La Lucha," or the struggle. This refers to the ongoing fight against the forces of oppression, and the commitment to creating a more just and equitable world. It is a recognition that the struggle for feminism is not just an individual one, but a collective one, that must involve all marginalized communities working together to create change. Feminism also emphasizes the importance of intersectionality or the recognition that our experiences of oppression are shaped not just by gender, but also by race, class, sexuality, and other factors. It is a rejection of the idea that there is An inspirational person to me who has affected my view of feminism is my Mom's family. They grew up in a very traditional household that often oppressed them of their rights like education and grew up in very sexist gender roles. This is why I tutor specifically primary to secondary school children. I care about it the most. I love helping my Hispanic community, especially the children who do not have the resources to tutor or help with their education because most of my Hispanic culture/community is just like my mother, who did not even finish primary school to prepare to be a traditional housewife. I stand for the women in the Hispanic community and underserved and underrepresented communities/cultures. I want to make a change and help women who could not have had an education just like my mom and support "La Lucha".

I was selected to be in a paid medical internship sponsored by a local program that supports high schoolers. With this experience, I understood that the medical field is exactly what I want to pursue academically and career-wise. I experienced working with older adults/my co-workers and learning the pathways they took. I also shadowed multiple doctors, medical assistants, nurse practitioners, phlebotomists, and medical receptionists. I experienced the growth of my medical knowledge, observed multiple minor surgeries, separated blood samples from plasma, and helped patients with taking vitals. I learned to exercise my attitudinal skills and communication skills with my co-workers and patients, as well as technical, and cognitive, skills and grew more hands-on experience. I loved being a medical intern and shadowing all the fields, especially attending to the patients and getting to know them compassionately. There is a tiny old white wrinkly lady named Karen and once a week, she came in and offered every single CMA a jar of natural honey, even to me, a nervously excited medical intern. She taught me not to judge anyone by the first impression and to always be the kindest and sweetest ball of yarn no matter what. She always came with the most amazing yellow and green "University of Oregon" merch and the silliest tote bag with a hot pink and dark purple hat. At that moment, I knew that caring for patients will be my most important accomplishment and goal, serving patients and helping every individual to have a happier and healthier life is the most important thing ever. Every week, Karen would somehow find her way into an appointment of thirty minutes but extend it to two hours. Even on my first day, she noticed me and every single person in the room; the other patients. CMAs, CNAs, secretaries, every single person, and offered honey to anyone she could find. I sadly never received any honey due to my internship ending but she taught me how just talking for at least a few seconds shows how much someone's day and even health improves. The best part was just listening to how much she cared about talking to each individual and was the most peaceful creature ever. This is who I want to become ever since that day, a pediatric nurse or even a pediatrician who cares so much about her patients and wants to feel compassion and just all kindness for them, noticing and listening to her patients wanting the best for their health and lives.

I am a Mexican American first generation woman who to my family, I neither spoke Spanish nor English and am neither Mexican nor American. I love expressing my feelings through painting, drawing, swimming, and playing my trumpet. I like to challenge myself with rigorous courses, like taking IB these past four years, and extracurricular activities, like being the executive board ASB vice president, Trumpet section leader in marching band and Wind Ensemble, and on varsity at my local high school swim team for over 4 years. My favorite movie is Midsommar and am oddly fascinated by cults since the age of eight because of my father, and every Friday, we sat down at nine pm to watch 2020 and Dateline. I’ve been in love with the medical field ever since I was in third grade and loved that doctors aka Pediatricians could take care of babies and children, like my beautiful four nephews and one niece whom I wish I could adopt. My grandmother who was from Mexico had no resources but worked sweat and tears to become a midwife in Michoacan, Mexico. With no education, she was the famous midwife in her town and gave her family the chance to immigrate to the U.S., whereas because of her, I have the opportunity to have an education and the career I want. I am immensely grateful for her giving me the chance to be my father, so I could choose the life I want, become a pediatrician, and make her proud. She is the reason I want to serve my community by working with medical experts, and parents, helping little ones feel better and growing up healthy with opportunities just like me. My dad walked from Michoacán, Mexico to Norwalk, California on foot in 1984. He and my mom only made it to fifth grade, and both learned a new abstract language at 18 and 24. This is the reason I have been volunteering at my local catholic church, where I tutor specifically primary to secondary school children. Helping my Hispanic community, especially the children who do not have the resources or help with homework, is the most important thing to change in my community because many do not have the resources or the funding for schooling, just like my parents. My parents did not have the resources to help me in school in any way and I had to find ways to do my homework and understand it with my help. This community I identify with gives me the opportunity I help other children just like me, serve my local church, and help kids with any subject (math, geography, science, theology, etc.). I believe all children and every adult deserve a right to a successful education no matter their status and I stand for my Hispanic community. I want to make a change and help others who could not have had an education just like my mom and dad, and understand why they came to the U.S.

My dad walked from Michoacán, Mexico to Norwalk, California on foot in 1984. He and my mom only made it to fifth grade, and both learned a new abstract language at 18 and 24. I believe my Hispanic community deserves equal access to education. This is the reason I have been volunteering at my local catholic church, where I tutor specifically primary to secondary school children. Helping my Hispanic community, especially the children who do not have the resources or help with homework, is the most important thing to change in my community because many do not have the resources or the funding for schooling, just like my parents. My parents did not have the resources to help me in school in any way and I had to find ways to do my homework and understand it with my help. This community I identify with gives me the opportunity I help other children just like me, serve my local church, and help kids with any subject (math, geography, science, theology, etc.). As a Hispanic woman, my family has constantly told me not to go to college, to just continue the cycle of poverty, no access to education, the minimum wage and no support for my family or my future. I provided children the support that they can do anything; not continue the cycle of generational trauma or sexism. My parents sacrificed so much so my siblings and I can have opportunities to go to school and have a life; unlike them, they had to sacrifice everything in Mexico, even school, to help their family survive in agriculture and farming. This home has taught me and inspired me to be more independent, commit to the hard times in life, and especially the goal for equal access to education, which I deserve. I believe all children and every adult deserve a right to a successful education no matter their status and I stand for my Hispanic community. Hispanic women deserve an education and the life they truly want. I want to make a change and help others who could not have had an education just like my mom and dad, and understand why they came to the U.S.

"Doctor, each time I stop swimming at practice, my lungs are in excruciating sharp pain.." The doctor looks at me in an annoyed way with his shining stethoscope and impatient blue eyes and responds "it's because you need to lose weight"... right, it's not like because I have my asthma so bad, not even my albuterol inhaler can control it during an asthma attack, its simply because I'm fat. When my family moved from El Monte, California to Springfield Oregon in 2005, I started to hear a high pitch ringing in my ear, red swollen itchy eyes, a runny nose, painful and awful wheezing when I breathed and continues till this day. In elementary, I hated running because of how tired and how tight my chest felt, and always felt embarrassed taking my inhaler in front of my classmates. Having asthma and both allergies (in all seasons) has affected my health and even deteriorated it. Just in January, I got sick every weekend. It wasn't until I was freshly eighteen and being scolded by the sweetest pediatrician Dr. Rood, I was diagnosed with tinnitus caused by allergies, she scolded me to finally take four medications every day (my two inhalers with my purple spacer, allergy pills, and nasal spray). The day I miss one spray of my inhaler, the worst asthma attack with the itchiest itch in my back, the leakiest nose, and puffy red eyes, was to come. Due to these conditions I have, I cannot run, do track, smell the most beautiful flower, breathe through my nose, or smell my mom's most amazing and delicious Mexican food. I lost my smell and the ability to breathe through my nose, and at the worst times, hear the entire room go silent and hear the most annoying high pitch ringing and say "huh" a million times to my friends till they get annoyed. Going to the doctor multiple times as a kid makes you think "hopefully I get a sticker or a lollipop this time!" and it became a practice to visit due to my awful hearing and wheezing. But because of these visits, I’ve been in love with the medical field and loved that doctors also known as pediatricians could take care of babies and children, like my beautiful four nephews and one niece whom I wish I could adopt. My grandmother who was from Mexico had no resources but worked sweat and tears to become a midwife in Michoacan, Mexico. With no education, she was the famous midwife in her town and gave her family the chance to immigrate to the U.S., whereas because of her, I have the opportunity to have an education and the career I want. I am immensely grateful for her giving me the chance to be my father, so I could choose the life I want, become a pediatrician, and make her proud. She and my asthma is the reason I want to serve my community by working with medical experts, and parents, helping little ones feel better and growing up healthy with opportunities just like me.

My dad walked from Michoacán, Mexico to Norwalk, California on foot in 1984. He and my mom only made it to fifth grade, and both learned a new abstract language at 18 and 24. Wayne Morse believed in equal access to education for all, just like I believe my Hispanic community deserves equal access to education. This is the reason I have been volunteering at my local catholic church, where I tutor specifically primary to secondary school children. Helping my Hispanic community, especially the children who do not have the resources or help with homework, is the most important thing to change in my community because many do not have the resources or the funding for schooling, just like my parents. My parents did not have the resources to help me in school in any way and I had to find ways to do my homework and understand it with my help. This community I identify with gives me the opportunity I help other children just like me, serve my local church, and help kids with any subject (math, geography, science, theology, etc.). As a Hispanic woman, my family has constantly told me not to go to college, to just continue the cycle of poverty, no access to education, the minimum wage and no support for my family or my future. I provided children the support that they can do anything; not continue the cycle of generational trauma or sexism. My parents sacrificed so much so my siblings and I can have opportunities to go to school and have a life; unlike them, they had to sacrifice everything in Mexico, even school, to help their family survive in agriculture and farming. This home has taught me and inspired me to be more independent, have a commitment to the hard times in life, and especially the goal for equal access to education, which I deserve. I believe all children and every adult deserve a right to a successful education no matter their status and I stand for my Hispanic community. I want to make a change and help others who could not have had an education just like my mom and dad, and understand why they came to the U.S. Hispanic women deserve an education and a life they truly want. Due to the home, I grew up with, the identity I forcefully grew up in has impacted my free thinking, creativity, and the pursuit of further education to make my community and family proud. Due to the home, I grew up in, has shaped my life to follow the medical field to help children just like me, and prove to my family women can do anything, breaking generational trauma, and sexism.

Dearest xxxxx, For your information, I am writing this letter to express myself silently. You have changed my life completely after all you control it. I love you to death and I truly do not know what I will do after you’re gone. You’ve influenced me so much until my own brain digs at me and in my thoughts. I can’t see anything in my eyes I can only see them in yours no matter how much I try. I repeat what you say until it’s engraved in me. “Open your eyes when you smile.” “You look prettier when you’re serious.” “don’t slouch” “suck your stomach in.” Even when I was a child, you made me suck in my stomach. Why? Is it because I’ve never been skinny? Are you afraid I will turn out like you? I’ve pushed myself in any possible way I can. From refusing to have a B to losing weight, and wanting to receive your satisfaction. I honestly don’t know if I should be thankful or resentful. As soon as I was interested in dating someone, you looked at me differently. You won’t ever see me the same as before. You even brainwashed yourself to see me as dirty. Even my opinion doesn’t matter because as soon as I mention a thought, you immediately shake your head and forcefully shut me down. You’ve said I am not the same girl from that picture from kindergarten. Of course, I’m not. I grew my own personality and my own voice before you could see it. You just want me to be emotionless and suffer just like you. I avoid telling you my problems just to avoid getting in a fight and prefer to say “it was good” or “it was alright”. “You make me anxious.” “I don’t know if I should trust you.” is what repeats in my head and “my princess” “Eres toda una mujer” “me has hecho muy Feliz” and “I love you” makes my head throb. I’ve done everything you’ve asked for: grades, cooking, cleaning, band, listening, and you still think of me as a spoiled, lazy brat who’s done nothing in her entire life. Every time I listen to “Slipping through my fingers” by ABBA, I sob and sob and think of our relationship. You truly do your job. You worry and care for me and love me even though I cry out of frustration and think of myself as a monster. How I wish you could just hold me when I cry and comfort me. So I don’t know if I should be grateful or resentful. Neutrally, Camiliín.

My grandmother was the only midwife in Límon, a very small town of 929 people, in Michoacán, Mexico. Just like her, I would like to understand the ability of the effects, causes, and diagnostics of the human body in any type of environment and everyday life. I plan on going to the University of Portland where I would major in nursing with a BSN. Next, depending on what my calling is, I would specialize as a labor and delivery nurse. If I would like to study more, I would specialize as a pediatric nurse practitioner and go to medical school. I have the desire to pursue a nursing career because my grandmother, who permitted my father to immigrate to the U.S. from Mexico, and the reason I am here, was a midwife. She helped her community 24/7 and she inspires me to study medicine and break generational trauma. Getting a bachelor's in nursing will provide me with the needs the dreams my parents fought for. It will help others like me in my community by showing that Hispanic people especially women can be the most successful coming from nothing. This degree will help lead my path to a medical career and provide me with options to advance in this field after nursing. My mother always had this anatomy encyclopedia and a maternal health encyclopedia. When she wasn't around, I always sneaked to study the body and how fetuses grew in the uterus and how the body changes, because my mother found it weird. I loved that book until my mom gave it away to my sister-in-law who was pregnant, which in that day made me sad. Since that day, it has shaped what I want to study and fascinates me still how the body changes and its symptoms in pregnancy and post-partum care. Both my grandmother who raised nine kids, with no degree and became a midwife for her town, and the anatomy encyclopedia, have made me who I am today and shaped me into the woman I belong to be; and help my community in almost any way I can and help the underrepresented individuals from multiple communities with their health and make my grandmother and my Hispanic community proud.

I have been volunteering at my local catholic church, where I tutor specifically primary to secondary school children. I care about it the most because I love helping my Hispanic community, especially the children who do not have the resources or help with homework because most of my Hispanic culture/community did not have the resources or the funding for schooling, just like my parents, which both only made it to elementary school in Mexico. My parents did not have the resources to help me in school in any way and I had to find ways to do my homework and understand it with my help. This community I identify with gives me the opportunity I help other children just like me, serve my local church, and help kids with any subject (math, geography, science, theology, etc.). I believe all children and every adult deserve a right to a successful education no matter their status and I stand for my Hispanic community, I want to make a change and help others who could not have had an education just like my mom and dad, and understand why they came to the U.S. I also gave back to my community my service by taking a summer paid medical internship at my local family care clinic. By giving back to the community with this internship, I knew this was my calling as a career to help those who need medical treatment. With this experience, I understood that the medical field is exactly what I want to pursue academically and career-wise. I experienced working with older adults/my co-workers and learning the pathways they took. I also shadowed multiple doctors, medical assistants, nurse practitioners, phlebotomists, and medical receptionists. I experienced the growth of my medical knowledge, observed multiple minor surgeries, separated blood samples from plasma, and helped patients with taking vitals. I learned to exercise my attitudinal skills and communication skills with my co-workers and patients, as well as technical, and cognitive, skills and grew more in hands-on experience. I have the desire to pursue a nursing career because of my grandmother and this internship. She was who permitted my father to immigrate to the U.S. from Mexico, the reason I am here, and was a midwife. She helped her community 24/7 and she inspires me to study medicine as well and to break generational trauma. I know if I study nursing, I will help my community in almost any way I can and help the underrepresented individuals from multiple communities with their health and make her proud.

Growing up as a first-generation catholic Mexican American and as a woman in the US is rigorous. By attending college, I would leave my place in the kitchen where I belonged till death, cooking for a male who would own me and live like a maid. I would leave the house with dirt and filth crying and agonizing, leaving the tradition of serving sexist men who would abuse me and knock me up whenever they want, leaving the rule that “Las mujercitas no salen a la calle”, slut-shaming their own daughter for wearing leggings, leaving the sexism that your 26-year-old brother gets a home cooked meal every midnight with single sweet vanilla loved filled note from his mother, while you only get to pack your lunch since you were 1825 days old after working and going to school, leaving the fact that waking up at 8:00 am on the weekends was not ladylike, and depriving myself to study to break the generational trauma my ancestors have left. I have learned to fend for myself, to grow the courage and patience to leave this house and study for a career and life I want, instead of my life already being chosen and picked because of my genitalia. I am very curious about studying/discovering human functions and would like to understand the ability of the effects, causes, and diagnostics of the human body in any type of environment and in everyday life. I am planning to do a dual transfer if I cannot cover going to the university because of its expenses. But I plan on taking and finishing my pre-nursing classes in a community college and then, transferring to a university, where I would major in nursing with a bachelor in science/nursing. Next, depending on what is my calling, I would specialize in pediatric nursing or autopsy nursing. Finally, if I would like to study more, I would specialize as a pediatric nurse practitioner and go to medical school. The medical field is the right pathway because of a medical paid internship during the summer of 2022. I was selected to be in a paid medical internship sponsored by a local program that supports high schoolers. With this experience, I understood that the medical field is exactly what I want to pursue academically and career-wise. I experienced working with older adults/my co-workers and learning the pathways they took. I also shadowed multiple doctors, medical assistants, nurse practitioners, phlebotomists, and medical receptionists. I experienced the growth of my medical knowledge, observed multiple minor surgeries, separated blood samples from plasma, and helped patients with taking vitals. I learned to exercise my attitudinal skills and communication skills with my co-workers and patients, as well as technical, and cognitive, skills and grew more in hands-on experience. I have the desire to pursue a nursing career because my grandmother, who permitted my father to immigrate to the U.S. from Mexico, and the reason I am here, was a midwife. She helped her community 24/7 and she inspires me to study medicine and break the generational trauma. I know if I study nursing, I will help my community in almost any way I can and help the underrepresented individuals from multiple communities with their health and make her proud.