Nursing is the path I’ve chosen not just because I want a fulfilling career, but because I want to be a source of safety, compassion, and healing for people during their most vulnerable moments. I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of the District of Columbia Community College, pursuing my Associate’s Degree in Nursing with plans to specialize in either labor and delivery or pediatric care — because those are the places where compassion matters most. My interest in pediatric nursing stems from a deeply personal place. I grew up in foster care and spent much of my childhood moving from one place to another, often without stability, emotional support, or consistent access to healthcare. I know firsthand how powerful it can be for a child to feel safe, heard, and cared for — especially in clinical settings that can feel scary or overwhelming. My experiences have made me incredibly sensitive to the needs of children, especially those going through difficult times. What draws me to pediatric nursing is the opportunity to make a real difference in a child’s life — not just physically, but emotionally. Children remember how they’re treated. A calm voice, a gentle touch, and a warm smile can change how a child experiences pain or fear. I want to be that nurse who makes doctor visits or hospital stays less intimidating and more supportive for both the child and their family. I understand that pediatric nursing isn’t just about treating illness — it’s about creating trust, comfort, and emotional security in a world that can feel uncertain for kids. As a single mom, I’ve seen the healthcare system from the perspective of a parent too. I know what it’s like to advocate for your child, to ask questions, to want to feel reassured by the professionals taking care of your family. That perspective has helped shape my approach to nursing with a high level of empathy, communication, and patient education. So far in my educational journey, I’ve completed key prerequisites like Anatomy & Physiology and maintained solid academic performance, even while balancing motherhood and community service. Outside the classroom, I founded Bites with Birdie, a volunteer initiative where I prepare and deliver meals to unhoused individuals in D.C. Through this work, I’ve sharpened my leadership, built strong ties to my community, and reaffirmed my passion for helping people — especially those who are often overlooked. If awarded this scholarship, I would use it to continue my education and eventually pursue additional certifications in pediatric nursing. I hope to work in children’s hospitals or pediatric clinics, and later advocate for better care access and emotional support services for kids in foster care. My long-term goal is to build a career where I can combine clinical skill with compassion — to be the nurse that children feel safe around and parents trust. Pediatric nursing isn’t just a specialty to me — it’s a chance to give children what I didn’t always have: someone who genuinely cares. I want to be the calm in the chaos, the comfort in the pain, and the advocate when they can’t speak for themselves.

I am currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Nursing at the University of the District of Columbia Community College. As a first-generation college student and a single mother, this journey means everything to me. I come from a background where opportunities were scarce, and stability was never guaranteed. Growing up in foster care and experiencing hardships most children should never face gave me a firsthand understanding of what it means to be vulnerable and in need of care. That understanding is exactly what fuels my passion for nursing. The field of healthcare I’m pursuing is labor and delivery nursing. I chose this specialty because I believe that how a person is treated during childbirth can have a lifelong impact — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Childbirth should be a moment of support, dignity, and compassion. As a mother myself, I know the fears, joys, and uncertainties that come with bringing a child into the world. I want to be the kind of nurse who stands beside patients during that vulnerable time, advocating for them, educating them, and making sure they feel safe and empowered. My goal isn’t just to become a nurse — I want to become a nurse who makes a real difference. I plan to start by working in a hospital labor and delivery unit, and then eventually pursue additional certifications to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. I also hope to create prenatal education workshops for underserved communities, ensuring families are informed, supported, and prepared long before they reach the delivery room. To prepare for this path, I’ve thrown myself fully into my academic journey, balancing a full-time course load with parenting and my responsibilities outside the classroom. I’ve completed foundational courses like Anatomy & Physiology and have remained committed to my studies despite personal and financial challenges. Beyond school, I run a grassroots initiative called Bites with Birdie, where I prepare and deliver meals to unhoused individuals in my community — because I believe that care isn’t limited to hospital walls. Receiving this scholarship would lift a huge burden and allow me to stay focused on my goals. I am more than determined and dedicated to pursuing this career and making a difference in healthcare. More importantly, it would be an investment in someone who is committed to giving back and changing lives through healthcare. I am not just pursuing a career — I am answering a calling.

My name is Birdie Ophelia Love, and I’m a full-time nursing student at UDC Community College, a proud single mom, and someone who’s overcome a lot to get to where I am today. I grew up in foster care and survived abuse and neglect at a young age, which shaped not only how I see the world, but also the kind of nurse I want to become. I’m passionate about creating safe spaces for people who are often overlooked — and that’s exactly what I plan to do in the field of nursing. I’m pursuing this career because I’ve experienced what it’s like to be in need of care and not feel supported. Nursing gives me the opportunity to change that experience for others. I want to be the kind of nurse who listens, advocates, and creates a safe and comforting environment for every patient I serve. For me, this work is about healing, service, and impact. I plan to specialize in labor and delivery because I want to support women and families during one of the most important and vulnerable moments of their lives. As a mother myself, I know how deeply emotional and life-changing childbirth can be. My goal is to offer not just clinical care, but reassurance, strength, and genuine compassion throughout the process. I’ve been preparing for this journey in several ways. Academically, I’ve taken foundational science courses like Anatomy & Physiology and have been fully committed to excelling in my studies. I also have over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, where I learned how to work under pressure, build meaningful connections, and serve people with kindness and patience — all qualities I plan to carry into my nursing career. Outside of school, I run Bites with Birdie, a community initiative where I prepare and deliver meals to unhoused individuals in Washington, D.C. I’m also an advocate for survivors of abuse and the foster care system, using my own story to raise awareness and push for change. Every step I take is rooted in a desire to give back and help others feel cared for, seen, and supported. This scholarship would ease the financial stress of school and allow me to focus more on my studies and my service work. I’m not just building a career — I’m building a life dedicated to compassion, advocacy, and healing. With your support, I’ll become the kind of nurse who makes a difference — one patient at a time.

I want to become a nurse because I’ve seen, felt, and lived the consequences of a healthcare system that too often fails the most vulnerable — especially Black women and children. As a survivor of the foster care system, a single mother, and someone who has navigated the world with limited support, I know the power of being cared for with dignity. I didn’t always have that growing up, but I want to make sure others do — especially during the most vulnerable moments of their lives. My passion is to become a labor and delivery nurse so I can advocate for Black mothers during childbirth — a time that should be filled with support and joy, not fear. Black women in America are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. That’s not a coincidence — that’s a result of bias, neglect, and lack of proper care. I want to be the nurse who listens, who notices when something’s wrong, and who fights to ensure that every mother, regardless of background, is treated with the highest standard of care. Becoming a nurse is personal for me. I’m not just looking for a job — I’m building a life rooted in purpose, healing, and advocacy. Outside of school, I run a community initiative called Bites with Birdie, where I cook and deliver meals to unhoused people in D.C. I’ve also worked as a server, bartender, and manager in the hospitality industry for over a decade, where I developed the people skills, emotional intelligence, and work ethic that I now bring into my journey in healthcare. I am currently a full-time student at UDC Community College, and I balance my studies with being a mother and a community leader. I’m also running for Miss UDC Community College — not for a title, but to challenge stereotypes and uplift stories like mine. As someone who grew up in foster care, survived domestic violence, and is now speaking out about my own childhood abuse at the hands of the state, I am deeply committed to justice and change — both inside and outside of healthcare. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of school and parenting, but it would also help me continue walking in my purpose. I’m not asking for a handout — I’m asking for an investment in someone who is going to pour back into her community tenfold. I’m building a future for myself and my daughter, and I’m doing it with intention, integrity, and heart. Nursing isn’t just a profession to me — it’s the bridge between who I was, who I am, and who I’m becoming. And with your support, I know I can become the kind of nurse every patient hopes they’ll get: one who truly sees them.

I want to become a nurse because I’ve seen, felt, and lived the consequences of a healthcare system that too often fails the most vulnerable — especially Black women and children. As a survivor of the foster care system, a single mother, and someone who has navigated the world with limited support, I know the power of being cared for with dignity. I didn’t always have that growing up, but I want to make sure others do — especially during the most vulnerable moments of their lives. My passion is to become a labor and delivery nurse so I can advocate for Black mothers during childbirth — a time that should be filled with support and joy, not fear. Black women in America are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. That’s not a coincidence — that’s a result of bias, neglect, and lack of proper care. I want to be the nurse who listens, who notices when something’s wrong, and who fights to ensure that every mother, regardless of background, is treated with the highest standard of care. Becoming a nurse is personal for me. I’m not just looking for a job — I’m building a life rooted in purpose, healing, and advocacy. Outside of school, I run a community initiative called Bites with Birdie, where I cook and deliver meals to unhoused people in D.C. I’ve also worked as a server, bartender, and manager in the hospitality industry for over a decade, where I developed the people skills, emotional intelligence, and work ethic that I now bring into my journey in healthcare. I am currently a full-time student at UDC Community College, and I balance my studies with being a mother and a community leader. I’m also running for Miss UDC Community College — not for a title, but to challenge stereotypes and uplift stories like mine. As someone who grew up in foster care, survived domestic violence, and is now speaking out about my own childhood abuse at the hands of the state, I am deeply committed to justice and change — both inside and outside of healthcare. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of school and parenting, but it would also help me continue walking in my purpose. I’m not asking for a handout — I’m asking for an investment in someone who is going to pour back into her community tenfold. I’m building a future for myself and my daughter, and I’m doing it with intention, integrity, and heart. Nursing isn’t just a profession to me — it’s the bridge between who I was, who I am, and who I’m becoming. And with your support, I know I can become the kind of nurse every patient hopes they’ll get: one who truly sees them.