La·ti·na Noun a woman or girl of Latin American origin or descent. Although the noun Latina is officially defined as what you just read, people have always used the term as an adjective to refer to me. Before every sentence or phrase used to describe me, Latina is the word used. While I acknowledge that some may use "Latina" in a way that perpetuates negative stereotypes or overlooks my accomplishments, I choose to focus on the positive aspects of my culture being the product as a first-born Colombian American child and how it has shaped my character. I have always been the only Latina in most activities are programs I have participated in. The 49ers STEM Leadership Program in Santa Clara quite literally did not find another word to define me besides “the Latina”, because of its predominantly white and Asian demographic. No other qualities, just the overarching adjective of Latina. I am 1 Latina in every hundred, and I am 1 Latina in every thousand. Besides myself, I have found one person in my life that surely resonates closely with the experience I have just described, and coincidentally also shares the same roof as myself. My mother arrived in the United States in 2007 in hopes of finding better opportunities than the ones she grew up with in the dangerous suburbs of Cali, Colombia for her upcoming infant. At the time, it wasn’t in the books to become a single parent, until unfortunately, my father passed away of cancer when I was 8. My mother has been my greatest source of inspiration and support and was one of the only Latinas in her college graduation, as well as in most workspaces with limited opportunities. For 7 years now, the hardships of a single Latina parent sustaining me have taught me the value of embracing my identity while also proving my worth through my achievements. Though I often find myself as the only Latina in many activities and programs, I refuse to be defined solely by my ethnicity and I am determined to showcase the individual qualities and abilities that set me apart. College from a young age has been in my plans to achieve a further dream, and I strive daily to attain this opportunity by giving up the regular high school experience to go to a high school inside a community college to take off the financial burden on my single mother by the time I enter a university to pursue my degree. My mother has had the opportunity to teach me the power of being the only Latina in the opportunities that bring me success and has instilled that I am not in the place to work any less than anyone around me as my race does not grant me any special privileges. It does however empower me to push myself beyond limits and give me the stride to work 2 times harder than everyone to achieve my passions the same way she has. I've learned from my mother how important it is to accept who I am and demonstrate to myself and others that I am not constrained by any labels. My mother has taught me the value of not just accepting I am only "Latina" – I am a multifaceted individual with dreams, aspirations, and the determination to create a brighter future for myself and those around me.

La·ti·na Noun - a woman or girl of Latin American origin or descent. Although the noun Latina is officially defined as what you just read, people have always used the term as an adjective to refer to me. Before every sentence or phrase used to describe me, Latina is the word used. While I acknowledge that some may use "Latina" in a way that perpetuates negative stereotypes or overlooks my accomplishments, I choose to focus on the positive aspects of my culture being the product as a first-born Colombian American child and how it has shaped my character. I have always been the only Latina in most activities are programs I have participated in. The 49ers STEM Leadership Program in Santa Clara quite literally did not find another word to define me besides “the Latina”, because of its predominantly white and Asian demographic. No other qualities, just the overarching adjective of Latina. I am 1 Latina in every hundred, and I am 1 Latina in every thousand. Besides myself, I have found one person in my life that surely resonates closely with the experience I have just described, and coincidentally also shares the same roof as myself. My mother arrived in the United States in 2007 in hopes of finding better opportunities than the ones she grew up with in the dangerous suburbs of Cali, Colombia for her upcoming infant. At the time, it wasn’t in the books to become a single parent, until unfortunately, my father passed away of cancer when I was 8. My mother has been my greatest source of inspiration and support and was one of the only Latinas in her college graduation, as well as in most workspaces with limited opportunities. For 7 years now, the hardships of a single Latina parent sustaining me have taught me the value of embracing my identity while also proving my worth through my achievements. Though I often find myself as the only Latina in many activities and programs, I refuse to be defined solely by my ethnicity and I am determined to showcase the individual qualities and abilities that set me apart. College from a young age has been in my plans to achieve a further dream, and I strive daily to attain this opportunity by giving up the regular high school experience to go to a high school inside a community college to take off the financial burden on my single mother by the time I enter a university to pursue my degree. My mother has had the opportunity to teach me the power of being the only Latina in the opportunities that bring me success and has instilled that I am not in the place to work any less than anyone around me as my race does not grant me any special privileges. It does however empower me to push myself beyond limits and give me the stride to work 2 times harder than everyone to achieve my passions the same way she has. I've learned from my mother how important it is to accept who I am and demonstrate to myself and others that I am not constrained by any labels. My mother has taught me the value of not just accepting I am only "Latina" – I am a multifaceted individual with dreams, aspirations, and the determination to create a brighter future for myself and those around me.