Growing up in a low-income household, I learned it’s important to never take things for granted in life. Starting at a young age, I watched my parents work hard day and night – subconsciously teaching me the extreme value of resilience, diligence, and ambition. They showed me how it was those who had drive and passion to make do out of what little they had – those were the people to look up to. These ideas became a foundation for what guided me throughout my life: whether it be school, my first job, or my relationships with those around me. Whenever I faced hardships, I always found myself thinking of my parents, and how they sacrificed so much to make sure our family was fed and happy. They showed me how temporary losses and pain can yield rewards and that I would always be strong enough to overcome any struggles I faced. I want to make a positive impact on the world by using my life experience to show others that success doesn’t come overnight – it’s a continuous journey that looks different for everyone. Everyone in life is dealt a different hand of cards, and while some may receive a hand that is more forgiving than another’s, you are always capable of making something worthwhile in the end. Currently, I am a woman pursuing a STEM degree, and I work every day to overcome the struggles women around the world face as a minority in this male-dominated field. I seek to raise awareness around my school and community to drive women to pursue STEM careers despite societal setbacks by getting involved in STEM clubs geared towards women, while also promoting local inclusivity initiatives.

In today's society, Filipino women face a plethora of hardships that hinder our progress, innovation, and well-being. Filipino women can often find themselves grappling against racial and gender discrimination, as well as pervasive financial hardships. This causes a negative impact on our community and can manifest in all aspects of our lives -- health, employment, socializing, and much more. Navigating the complexities of supporting a family, one's self and a career can have a deep impact on an individual's personal and professional growth. As a Filipino woman pursuing a degree in Computer Science, I naturally felt out of place when stepping foot into my classes. I was surrounded primarily by men, rarely coming across another female student, and once in a blue moon would I meet another Filipino woman in my same position. It didn't seem like a big deal at first until I began to notice it manifesting in various aspects of my academic career. I would feel afraid to speak in class discussions, the possibility that my perspective would be "too different." I sometimes felt like a walking stereotype, wondering if this was truly the right major to be in. These constant feelings of being an outsider mentally exhausted me, which then caused me trouble in my studies and a decline in my well-being. However, this was just my experience. Now, imagine the experience of other Filipino women in the world who are less fortunate than I. Those who cannot afford to attend college. Those who experience colorism and face harsh remarks based on their appearance alone. Those who are qualified for a job or role, but are overlooked merely due to their gender. Those who want to pursue a career, but are left with the duties of caring for their children and family. Filipino women are held to standards that can sometimes be impossible to reach, resulting in women with dreams that are left untouched. Despite the challenges I experience, I continue to persevere for the women who cannot. The many Filipino women around the world who are unable to pursue their dream education or career deserve their chance, and I will not let mine go to waste. I believe it is vital for Filipino women to overcome these barriers. Accessible resources that not only encourage a successful career but also help eliminate financial hardships as well as racial and gender discrimination, are necessary for these changes to occur. If empowered enough, I would seek to create programs targeted toward Filipino women that can alleviate such burdens. For example, improving mental health by creating support groups or providing affordable/free healthcare; Creating job workshops or STEM initiatives that can encourage Filipino women to pursue their desired careers; Providing scholarships and grants to diminish the cost of obtaining a higher education; Initiating a mentorship program that allows us to seek guidance that can help navigate through life, school, and jobs. Despite the significant challenges Filipino women face, a brighter future is possible with the implementation of the proper resources. By providing beneficial programs and tools, a more inclusive and supportive environment can be cultivated which caters to the success of Filipino women. Their full potential can be reached while they overcome these barriers, and their dreams will not go untouched.