“Awarded next is the Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award in Humanities and Social Science. This will be presented to Saniah Tuck in recognition of her outstanding commitment to social justice and dedication to continuing their unfinished life’s work.” “That’s it?” I thought to myself as I walked across the stage at my senior awards ceremony to receive the certificate and plaque. I remember lying in bed that night, restless and disappointed. Four years of hard work—honor societies, sports, and academics—and this was all I had to show for it? My family barely acknowledged the award. Someone even said I only got it because I was one of the few Black students in my graduating class. The truth? I wanted to be rewarded for being the best—for standing out. Social justice didn’t seem like something to be proud of. I never even saw myself as someone fighting for justice. I wanted to be a great dentist and make money. What I didn’t realize was that what I saw as a diversity gesture was actually a glimpse into my future. When I entered college, that mindset stuck: get good grades, become a dentist, make money. I didn’t grow up with much, and by the end of my first year, my school account was in collections. I had to make a GoFundMe just to stay enrolled. Then everything changed. Jesus entered my life through an on-campus ministry during that same year. As my relationship with Him grew, so did my perspective. I started caring less about personal success and more about the suffering I saw around me. I changed my major from biology to public health, focusing on health equity and community-centered programs. Through my classes at the University of Pittsburgh, I began to recognize the deep disparities in my own city—especially among people dealing with homelessness and addiction in downtown Pittsburgh. I picked up a part-time job as a pharmacy technician at CVS, expecting just a paycheck. Instead, it opened my eyes. I saw patients unable to afford their medications, struggling to choose between prescriptions. Some had no address to give. Others came in with infected wounds or missing teeth from addiction. Off the clock, I saw people sleeping outside, living in pain—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Even when I was yelled at or disrespected on the job, I couldn’t be mad. My heart broke for them. And that’s when my purpose became clear: to bring hope to the hopeless. I’m in college today so I can tackle these issues from both a community and policy level. My goal is to open nonprofit health clinics for underserved populations—offering care, medication, recovery programs, and spiritual support. As a Christian, I believe real healing goes beyond the physical. Just like prison ministries bring Jesus to those behind bars, I want to bring Him to those trapped in addiction, poverty, and brokenness. Now, I understand what that high school award meant. Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights. Frederick Douglass fought for racial equity. And now, I fight for health justice in my community. It just took time to see it. Today, I live in my own apartment in Edgewood, PA . Receiving this scholarship would help me keep up with rent, stay focused on my studies, and continue giving back to my community—not just through my career goals, but through how I live out my faith and calling.

Have kids, clean the house, cook the food. These commands have been given to women for decades. The roles of women have been compacted down into routine tasks simply because “it's what women are supposed to do”. Centuries ago, women would be burned alive simply for knowing societal expectations and would be labeled as a witch. So where does that leave women currently? Even though modern women aren’t publicly tortured (Thank goodness), women who attempt to enter male-dominated spaces or spaces that require authority are often turned away. Even when women achieve those roles, they are often compensated along with being ridiculed for what they present (even when met with success). In society, there are constant barriers present that restrict women from fully applying their capabilities. Restrictions aren’t seen only in corporations but lie within political applications. Many states in the US banned access to abortions, releasing women from authority over their bodies. So what does feminism mean to all of this? It’s about equality in all aspects of life. Feminism to me and many others means having women and all genders rest on the same societal and political platform instead of placing women at the bottom of the hierarchy. It’s about women getting the same opportunities, authority and expectations as men. Many people think that feminism is about raising women above men and trying to achieve power but feminist simply doesn’t want women to be unequipped due to their gender. Feminism must continue to thrive because it’s helping women to rise above social standards. It allows women everywhere to stand upon the support system that feminism has created. An inspirational person to me is Marsai Martin. She’s relatively close to my age and I’ve always admired her success. She is a young, black woman who is constantly changing the narrative for women and their capabilities (especially for me). She has won many awards for her productions and acting roles. Marsai has been able to produce successful movies and shows while creating an impact with her partner with the Foundation for Women’s Cancer. She inspires me because she actively advocates for women while constantly inspiring women to exceed expectations regardless of societal limitations. Marsai has contributed the most to my view of feminism. Previously, I would focus on the equality portion of feminism but I was missing the supportive aspect of feminism. After watching some interviews with Marsai I’ve realized that to be active in the feminist movement I have to support women who need it. Marsai inspired me to support a black female doctor that is researching her breakthrough in cancer treatment. Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green has found a way to target cancer cells without affecting the cells throughout the entire body. I volunteered for the Ora Lee Smith Cancer research foundation to provide additional support for her foundation. I will continue to uplift Dr.Green during her journey to making this cancer treatment accessible and inexpensive. Feminism is an important topic for me. As a woman trying to enter the field of dentistry, I plan on pushing the boundaries and becoming a part of the small percentage of women dentists. I look up to women like Dr.Green and Marsai Martin that are unknowingly inspiring me to push forward in my journey regardless of the expectations society set for the ambitions of women,

The universe is a vast and mysterious place, and the more we understand about it, the better equipped we will be to navigate our place in it. Understanding the nature of the universe is crucial for many reasons, including scientific advancement, technological development, and the betterment of humanity as a whole. One of the most important reasons to work to better understand the universe is for scientific advancement. By studying the universe and its workings, we can gain a deeper understanding of the laws of physics, the origins of life, and the structure of the cosmos. This knowledge can then be applied to other areas of research, leading to new discoveries and innovations. Another important reason to study the universe is for technological development. Advances in our understanding of the universe have led to many important technological developments, such as telescopes, satellites, and space exploration. These technologies have allowed us to study the universe in ways that were previously impossible, and have opened up new frontiers for exploration and discovery. Lastly, studying the universe can also be beneficial for the betterment of humanity. Understanding the universe can give us a sense of perspective on our place in the world and our relationship to the cosmos. It can also help us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the universe, and inspire us to work towards a greater understanding of our place in it. In order to work towards a better understanding of the universe, I hope to employ a variety of ideas and concepts. One of the most important is the scientific method, which involves making observations, formulating hypotheses, and testing predictions. I also hope to study the latest theories and models of the universe, such as the Big Bang theory, and to explore the latest data from telescopes and other instruments. Additionally, I plan to study the history of astronomy and the contributions of key figures in the field, in order to gain a better understanding of the context and evolution of our understanding of the universe. In conclusion, understanding the nature of the universe is crucial for scientific advancement, technological development, and the betterment of humanity. I hope to employ a variety of ideas and concepts in order to work towards a better understanding of the universe, and I believe that by doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of our place in the world and our relationship to the cosmos.