Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset, and unsure of how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I dared to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and being aware of and recognizing the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation, and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment, and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed by the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset, and unsure of how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and better understood my culture. The growth of social media placed immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I dared to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and being aware of and recognizing the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation, and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment, and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed by the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I benefit from the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Community care for the elderly is often overlooked and it can be one of the most rewarding ways to give your time. There is a multitude of reasons we should care for senior citizens, such as they usually need help due to the mental and physical limitations that come with age, they may be vulnerable to exclusion in our society, the lack of awareness regarding the changing behavioral patterns in elderly people at home leads to abuse of them by their kin and they deserve the help, having worked hard for many years, serving their country and others. Volunteering with seniors is an extremely fulfilling experience. Not only did I get to help the elderly but, through volunteering for senior citizens, I often ended up developing close relationships with the individuals I spent time with - and learned a lot from their unique life experiences and views! The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our mortality, that life does come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have".

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset, and unsure of how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I dared to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and being aware of and recognizing the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation, and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment, and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed by the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Volunteering with seniors is an extremely fulfilling experience. Not only I got to help the elderly but, through volunteering for senior citizens, I often ended up developing close relationships with the individuals I spended time with - and learned a lot from their unique life experiences and views! The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Volunteering with seniors is an extremely fulfilling experience. Not only I got to help the elderly but, through volunteering for senior citizens, I often ended up developing close relationships with the individuals I spended time with - and learned a lot from their unique life experiences and views! The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Volunteering with seniors is an extremely fulfilling experience. Not only I got to help the elderly but, through volunteering for senior citizens, I often ended up developing close relationships with the individuals I spended time with - and learned a lot from their unique life experiences and views! The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

James Mccune was a writer. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was a nurse. Otis Boykin was an inventor. These African American physicians were pioneers who did not only heal people, but also devoted much of their life to fight against slavery, prejudice, and injustices. Have you ever wondered why are black people sicker, and their life expectancy is less than other racial groups? Many factors likely contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality among black people. It is undeniable, though, that one of those factors is the care that they receive from their providers. Black individuals are simply not receiving the same quality of health care their Caucasian counterparts receive, and this second-rate health care is a factor in shortening their lives. These questions opened the door for my decision in choosing to become a physician. There are many reasons behind me selecting this profession and one of the most important ones is the racial disparities in health care. Improving health care delivery for people of color is a complicated and multi-layered task, but solutions exist. By becoming a doctor, I will focus on improving data systems, increasing regulatory vigilance, and searching for new initiatives to appropriately train medical professionals and recruit more providers from disadvantaged minority backgrounds.

James Mccune was a writer. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was a nurse. Otis Boykin was an inventor. These African American physicians were pioneers who did not only heal people, but also devoted much of their life to fight against slavery, prejudice, and injustices. Have you ever wondered why are black people sicker, and their life expectancy is less than other racial groups? Many factors likely contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality among black people. It is undeniable, though, that one of those factors is the care that they receive from their providers. Black individuals are simply not receiving the same quality of health care their Caucasian counterparts receive, and this second-rate health care is a factor in shortening their lives. These questions opened the door for my decision in choosing to become a physician. There are many reasons behind me selecting this profession and one of the most important ones is the racial disparities in health care. Improving health care delivery for people of color is a complicated and multi-layered task, but solutions exist. By becoming a doctor, I will focus on improving data systems, increasing regulatory vigilance, and searching for new initiatives to appropriately train medical professionals and recruit more providers from disadvantaged minority backgrounds.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Volunteering with seniors is an extremely fulfilling experience. Not only I got to help the elderly but, through volunteering for senior citizens, I often ended up developing close relationships with the individuals I spended time with - and learned a lot from their unique life experiences and views! The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Community care for the elderly is often overlooked and it can be one of the most rewarding ways to give your time. Volunteering with seniors is an extremely fulfilling experience. Not only I got to help the elderly but, through volunteering for senior citizens, I often ended up developing close relationships with the individuals I spended time with - and learned a lot from their unique life experiences and views! The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the money a scholarship would give. I am seeking this scholarship as an opportunity to ensure an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Community care for the elderly is often overlooked and it can be one of the most rewarding ways to give your time. Volunteering with seniors is an extremely fulfilling experience. Not only I got to help the elderly but, through volunteering for senior citizens, I often ended up developing close relationships with the individuals I spended time with - and learned a lot from their unique life experiences and views! The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Community care for the elderly is often overlooked and it can be one of the most rewarding ways to give your time. There are a multitude of reasons we should care for senior citizens, such as: they usually need help due to the mental and physical limitations that come with age, they may be vulnerable to exclusion in our society, the lack of awareness regarding the changing behavioral patterns in elderly people at home leads to abuse of them by their kin and they deserve the help, having worked hard for many years, serving their country and others. The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Community care for the elderly is often overlooked and it can be one of the most rewarding ways to give your time. There are a multitude of reasons we should care for senior citizens, such as: they usually need help due to the mental and physical limitations that come with age, they may be vulnerable to exclusion in our society, the lack of awareness regarding the changing behavioral patterns in elderly people at home leads to abuse of them by their kin and they deserve the help, having worked hard for many years, serving their country and others. The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Community care for the elderly is often overlooked and it can be one of the most rewarding ways to give your time. There are a multitude of reasons we should care for senior citizens, such as: they usually need help due to the mental and physical limitations that come with age, they may be vulnerable to exclusion in our society, the lack of awareness regarding the changing behavioral patterns in elderly people at home leads to abuse of them by their kin and they deserve the help, having worked hard for many years, serving their country and others. Volunteering with seniors is an extremely fulfilling experience. Not only I got to help the elderly but, through volunteering for senior citizens, I often ended up developing close relationships with the individuals I spended time with - and learned a lot from their unique life experiences and views! The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

“Students are expected not just to be good, but we are expected to be good at everything.” I have felt the expectation of academic superiority my whole life, and it manifested into seeking academic validation and attaching my entire self-worth and identity over my grades. In addition to causing psychological stress, the fixation on achievement caused me to lose sight of the true beauty of education: to truly connect with one another’s humanity so that we can grow together and become smarter as a collective unit. But these purposes are getting lost in an outdated vision of what school is for. Once I learned to look past my grades as the only measure of my success, learning became exciting again. A true intellect understands that there is always something to learn. It is with this thinking that I approach all things in life now. It took me from a place of constantly being hard on myself to focus on my learning journey and knowing that it’s not about what I know, but my integral development as a person that truly matters. Of course it’s important to work hard and always do my best. While grades are an important factor in my academic success, now I know that it doesn’t define my abilities. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as to think.”

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Community care for the elderly is often overlooked and it can be one of the most rewarding ways to give your time. There are a multitude of reasons we should care for senior citizens, such as: they usually need help due to the mental and physical limitations that come with age, they may be vulnerable to exclusion in our society, the lack of awareness regarding the changing behavioral patterns in elderly people at home leads to abuse of them by their kin and they deserve the help, having worked hard for many years, serving their country and others. The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile". -Albert Einstein I view helping others as a way to help myself, meaning that I personal benefit of the reward of helping others. I have always tried to choose activities that allowed me this benefit, is like getting a double reward, once doing something that I enjoy and another in form of personal satisfaction. Community care for the elderly is often overlooked and it can be one of the most rewarding ways to give your time. There are a multitude of reasons we should care for senior citizens, such as: they usually need help due to the mental and physical limitations that come with age, they may be vulnerable to exclusion in our society, the lack of awareness regarding the changing behavioral patterns in elderly people at home leads to abuse of them by their kin and they deserve the help, having worked hard for many years, serving their country and others. The greatest benefit I’ve had helping elders, particularly with those in their final days, is the realization of our own mortality, that life does in fact come to an end, that my youth is temporary. Some have told me this thinking is ghastly, but I think it’s just the opposite. Without the realization that my lifetime is limited, how can I genuinely experience and enjoy the days at hand? I don’t want to be the elder in my final days that thinks, “I wish I would have done that.” Helping seniors helps remind me that I need to live life one day at a time today, that I need to be brave and forget about the "would have" .

“Students are expected not just to be good, but we are expected to be good at everything.” I have felt the expectation of academic superiority my whole life, and it manifested into seeking academic validation and attaching my entire self-worth and identity over my grades. In addition to causing psychological stress, the fixation on achievement caused me to lose sight of the true beauty of education: to truly connect with one another’s humanity so that we can grow together and become smarter as a collective unit. But these purposes are getting lost in an outdated vision of what school is for. Once I learned to look past my grades as the only measure of my success, learning became exciting again. A true intellect understands that there is always something to learn. It is with this thinking that I approach all things in life now. It took me from a place of constantly being hard on myself to focus on my learning journey and knowing that it’s not about what I know, but my integral development as a person that truly matters. Of course it’s important to work hard and always do my best. While grades are an important factor in my academic success, now I know that it doesn’t define my abilities. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as to think.”

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is my legacy to be the person that brings light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

“Students are expected not just to be good, but we are expected to be good at everything.” I have felt the expectation of academic superiority my whole life, and it manifested into seeking academic validation and attaching my entire self-worth and identity over my grades. In addition to causing psychological stress, the fixation on achievement caused me to lose sight of the true beauty of education: to truly connect with one another’s humanity so that we can grow together and become smarter as a collective unit. But these purposes are getting lost in an outdated vision of what school is for. Once I learned to look past my grades as the only measure of my success, learning became exciting again. A true intellect understands that there is always something to learn. It is with this thinking that I approach all things in life now. It took me from a place of constantly being hard on myself to focus on my learning journey and knowing that it’s not about what I know, but my integral development as a person that truly matters. Of course it’s important to work hard and always do my best. While grades are an important factor in my academic success, now I know that it doesn’t define my abilities. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as to think.”

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. I am proudly the great granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants that moved to Panama to help build the Panama Canal and influenced every aspect of Panama society from art, music, gastronomy, literary, labor etc. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder and self-destructing habits. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the im pact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.

Black women and mental health Sobbing quietly, I sat in the bathroom stall at school, confused, upset and unsure on how to react. Minutes before, as I was walking into class; a classmate came up to me and said in front of everyone, “Go back to Africa, disgusting black!” I looked around, expecting someone to defend me; but no one did, some even laughed. Dumbfounded, I ran to the bathroom crying. The present in which I found myself became blurry and my thoughts were immersed in a single word… “Why?!” This type of aggression towards Afro- descendants in Panama has been normalized in a society that doesn’t recognize our contributions, culture, and rich history. It has been ingrained as part of our daily lives and has been long battle for those who came before me. When I was eight years old, I did my first hair straightening. Though my curly hair was perfect the way it was, I wanted to look like the actresses I watched on my TV. Little did I know that representation matters within the slightest things, but affects our entire psyche. Society and popular culture can negatively shape our identities. By the time I was fourteen, I had embraced my natural hair and had a better understanding of my culture. The growth of social media placed an immense pressure on me, and I developed unhealthy eating habits trying to match social media standards of beauty. Being a young black girl can be difficult and I am extremely grateful that I had the courage to attend therapy to recover from an eating disorder. One of my goals is to bring light and further research to a silent issue that affects many black women: the negative effects of racial discrimination, the unfair and prejudicial treatment and the impact on their mental health. In Diane R. Brown and Verna M. Keith book “In and Out of Our Right Minds” states that black women are perpetuated and reinforced negative stereotypes that can lead low self-esteem, poor thought patterns leading to unhealthy habits. The misrepresentation and internalized racism hold serious psychological and physiological impacts on people of color. Black women are often subjected to negative stereotypes, social labels, and systematic bias. To address the problem of internalized racism, I focused on learning about the impact of racism on physical and mental health and to be aware and recognize the symptoms of racial trauma. This led me to research on how black women’s experiences with racism can influence our brain response and adaptation; and I realized this issue deserves greater attention. Studying the physiological and psychological impact of racism and discrimination towards African American women enabled me to discover my desire to do medical research. I started by enrolling in an online course in Fundamentals of Neuroscience at HarvardX. Throughout this course, I learned about the electrical properties of the neuron and how neurons work together creating complex networks inside the brain. I was amazed with the complexity of how the brain works and how it produces every thought that will shape our view of the world. This is the main reason I want to study the brain, do research about the impact of racism on the health of black women and bring awareness to this important topic. Why would I let down that little girl that just expected someone to defend her? I’m not just another student looking for the credential that a degree would give. I am seeking an education that will boost my ability to participate in a large-scale research and make a difference in black women’s lives.