I am incredibly passionate about the significance of inclusion and representation in STEM. I strive to align my academic and career goals with the values I hold dear. Science plays a vital role in human life, as it provides solutions for everyday problems and allows us to unravel the mysteries of the universe. My interest in science was ignited during my teenage years. At the age of 15, I distinctly remember visiting the local library in Berkeley to delve into the realm of biological ecosystems. It was there that I stumbled upon an article about Eunice Foote, a remarkable female American scientist, inventor, and advocate for women's rights. Foote was the first scientist known to have conducted experiments on the warming effect of sunlight on various gases. Unfortunately, she did not receive the recognition she deserved simply because female scientists were not taken seriously in those times. Currently, my academic goal is to earn an undergraduate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. I spent three years at my local community college and recently obtained my associate degree in science for transfer. My time at community college has taught me to value the importance of a strong community and has made me appreciate the privilege I have in accessing education. I am thrilled to share that I have been accepted at CSU - Sacramento, and I am eagerly looking forward to embarking on this journey. I chose Clinical Laboratory Science because I was drawn to the strong work ethic it demands. I firmly believe that it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. Growing up, I was taught that women were not allowed to have dreams beyond getting married. However, I consider myself a dreamer, and I strongly believe that everyone has a unique place in this world. Coming from a long line of women in my family, it is remarkable to note that none of them, up until the sixth generation, had the opportunity to attend school or even sit in a classroom. This has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the privilege I have to receive an education and pursue a career that I am passionate about. My current studies have honed my problem-solving skills. Through my calculus classes, I have learned the importance of thinking creatively, and in chemistry, I have developed persistence, even when the odds of getting things right seem slim. Biology has expanded my understanding of how different organisms interact with their environment. All these experiences, along with others that I have not mentioned, are shaping me for the career path I have chosen. I am confident that these skills will prove invaluable in due time. During the summer, I enrolled in a medical assisting program to gain more knowledge about patient care and the human body. This was an endeavor to enhance my experience in the healthcare field. In the next ten years, I aspire to contribute to the growing list of female scientists and to advocate for the eradication of sexism and racism in STEM. Numerous women in science have gone unnoticed and their contributions discredited solely because of their gender. Eunice Foote (1819-1888) and Alice Ball (1878-1968) are prime examples of this unjust treatment, despite their remarkable and influential contributions to science. As a black woman, I aspire to inspire young women, particularly young women of color, who may suffer from impostorism, just as I do. It is crucial to recognize that we are capable and important. Science is not limited by gender. There is ample room for everyone to conduct research and explore. Women in STEM are the future.

I come from a long lineage of a female-dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. Growing up, I was taught by my parents that a woman is expected to fulfill traditional gender roles such as catering to her husband, children and family. In many cultures around the world, women are not encouraged to school and pursue higher education. Unfortunately, this is also the case in my culture. ". The first time I told my parents about my interest to be a clinical laboratory scientist, my father looked at me and told me that women are not meant to be scientists. To be honest, this wasn’t a shocker to me considering my family background. This unsupportive attitude has had a profound impact on my life. It has been a significant source of stress and anxiety for me. His comments often left me feeling discouraged, and I began to doubt my abilities and question whether I was capable of achieving my dreams. This is where I learned perseverance. Perseverance to me in simple terms is a continued effort to achieve something despite opposition. It is also a measure of success, or at least how much sacrifice one is willing to make in the name of success. I tend to align my academic and career goals with the values I believe in. I never let the lack of support hinder me. However, this has made me value the opportunity I have to be educated and pursue a career I am passionate about. Science is an important aspect of human life; it generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. My interest in science peaked during my teenage, at 15 I remember going to the local library in Berkeley to read about biological ecosystems. One time, I came across an article on Eunice Foote a female American scientist, inventor, and women’s rights campaigner. She was the first scientist known to have experimented on the warming effect of sunlight on different gasses. However, she did not get the recognition she deserved simply because female scientists weren’t taken seriously back then. Currently, my academic goal is to earn my undergraduate degree as a Clinical laboratory science major. I attended my local community college for 3 years and recently got my associate in science degree for transfer. All my years at community college have taught me to appreciate the importance of a well-built community and it has made me appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have to access education. I successfully got accepted at CSU - Sacramento and I am extremely excited about that journey. I chose Clinical Laboratory Science because I felt drawn to the work ethic it requires. I strongly believe it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, I was taught that women couldn't have dreams asides from getting married. I strongly believe everyone has their niche in this world. As I get older, I am realizing that my father's lack of support is not a reflection of my abilities or worth. This Scholarship will help support me create a female STEM club at sac state. I aspire to add to the growing list of female scientists in 2 years and intend to advocate to eradicate sexism and racism in STEM. We are capable and important. Science is not gender-based. There’s enough space for all to research and explore. Women in STEM are the future.

I come from a long lineage of a female-dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. Growing up, I was taught by my parents that a woman is expected to fulfill traditional gender roles such as catering to her husband, children and family. In many cultures around the world, women are not encouraged to school and pursue higher education. Unfortunately, this is also the case in my culture. ". The first time I told my parents about my interest to be a clinical laboratory scientist, my father looked at me and told me that women are not meant to be scientists. To be honest, this wasn’t a shocker to me considering my family background. This unsupportive attitude has had a profound impact on my life. It has been a significant source of stress and anxiety for me. His comments often left me feeling discouraged, and I began to doubt my abilities and question whether I was capable of achieving my dreams. This is where I learned perseverance. Perseverance to me in simple terms is a continued effort to achieve something despite opposition. It is also a measure of success, or at least how much sacrifice one is willing to make in the name of success. I tend to align my academic and career goals with the values I believe in. I never let the lack of support hinder me. However, this has made me value the opportunity I have to be educated and pursue a career I am passionate about. Science is an important aspect of human life; it generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. My interest in science peaked during my teenage, at 15 I remember going to the local library in Berkeley to read about biological ecosystems. One time, I came across an article on Eunice Foote a female American scientist, inventor, and women’s rights campaigner. She was the first scientist known to have experimented on the warming effect of sunlight on different gasses. However, she did not get the recognition she deserved simply because female scientists weren’t taken seriously back then. Currently, my academic goal is to earn my undergraduate degree as a Clinical laboratory science major. I attended my local community college for 3 years and recently got my associate in science degree for transfer. All my years at community college have taught me to appreciate the importance of a well-built community and it has made me appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have to access education. I successfully got accepted at CSU - Sacramento and I am extremely excited about that journey. I chose Clinical Laboratory Science because I felt drawn to the work ethic it requires. I strongly believe it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, I was taught that women couldn't have dreams asides from getting married. I strongly believe everyone has their niche in this world. As I get older, I am realizing that my father's lack of support is not a reflection of my abilities or worth. This Scholarship will help support me create a female STEM club at sac state. I aspire to add to the growing list of female scientists in 2 years and intend to advocate to eradicate sexism and racism in STEM. We are capable and important. Science is not gender-based. There’s enough space for all to research and explore. Women in STEM are the future.

I come from a long lineage of a female-dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. Growing up, I was taught by my parents that a woman is expected to fulfill traditional gender roles such as catering to her husband, children and family. In many cultures around the world, women are not encouraged to school and pursue higher education. Unfortunately, this is also the case in my culture. ". The first time I told my parents about my interest to be a clinical laboratory scientist, my father looked at me and told me that women are not meant to be scientists. To be honest, this wasn’t a shocker to me considering my family background. This unsupportive attitude has had a profound impact on my life. It has been a significant source of stress and anxiety for me. His comments often left me feeling discouraged, and I began to doubt my abilities and question whether I was capable of achieving my dreams. This is where I learned perseverance. Perseverance to me in simple terms is a continued effort to achieve something despite opposition. It is also a measure of success, or at least how much sacrifice one is willing to make in the name of success. I tend to align my academic and career goals with the values I believe in. I never let the lack of support hinder me. However, this has made me value the opportunity I have to be educated and pursue a career I am passionate about. Science is an important aspect of human life; it generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. My interest in science peaked during my teenage, at 15 I remember going to the local library in Berkeley to read about biological ecosystems. One time, I came across an article on Eunice Foote a female American scientist, inventor, and women’s rights campaigner. She was the first scientist known to have experimented on the warming effect of sunlight on different gasses. However, she did not get the recognition she deserved simply because female scientists weren’t taken seriously back then. Currently, my academic goal is to earn my undergraduate degree as a Clinical laboratory science major. I attended my local community college for 3 years and recently got my associate in science degree for transfer. All my years at community college have taught me to appreciate the importance of a well-built community and it has made me appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have to access education. I successfully got accepted at CSU - Sacramento and I am extremely excited about that journey. I chose Clinical Laboratory Science because I felt drawn to the work ethic it requires. I strongly believe it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, I was taught that women couldn't have dreams asides from getting married. I strongly believe everyone has their niche in this world. As I get older, I am realizing that my father's lack of support is not a reflection of my abilities or worth. This Scholarship will help support me create a female STEM club at sac state. I aspire to add to the growing list of female scientists in 2 years and intend to advocate to eradicate sexism and racism in STEM. We are capable and important. Science is not gender-based. There’s enough space for all to research and explore. Women in STEM are the future.

I come from a long lineage of a female-dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. Growing up, I was taught by my parents that a woman is expected to fulfill traditional gender roles such as catering to her husband, children and family. In many cultures around the world, women are not encouraged to school and pursue higher education. Unfortunately, this is also the case in my culture. ". The first time I told my parents about my interest to be a clinical laboratory scientist, my father looked at me and told me that women are not meant to be scientists. To be honest, this wasn’t a shocker to me considering my family background. This unsupportive attitude has had a profound impact on my life. It has been a significant source of stress and anxiety for me. His comments often left me feeling discouraged, and I began to doubt my abilities and question whether I was capable of achieving my dreams. This is where I learned perseverance. Perseverance to me in simple terms is a continued effort to achieve something despite opposition. It is also a measure of success, or at least how much sacrifice one is willing to make in the name of success. I tend to align my academic and career goals with the values I believe in. I never let the lack of support hinder me. However, this has made me value the opportunity I have to be educated and pursue a career I am passionate about. Science is an important aspect of human life; it generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. My interest in science peaked during my teenage, at 15 I remember going to the local library in Berkeley to read about biological ecosystems. One time, I came across an article on Eunice Foote a female American scientist, inventor, and women’s rights campaigner. She was the first scientist known to have experimented on the warming effect of sunlight on different gasses. However, she did not get the recognition she deserved simply because female scientists weren’t taken seriously back then. Currently, my academic goal is to earn my undergraduate degree as a Clinical laboratory science major. I attended my local community college for 3 years and recently got my associate in science degree for transfer. All my years at community college have taught me to appreciate the importance of a well-built community and it has made me appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have to access education. I successfully got accepted at CSU - Sacramento and I am extremely excited about that journey. I chose Clinical Laboratory Science because I felt drawn to the work ethic it requires. I strongly believe it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, I was taught that women couldn't have dreams asides from getting married. I strongly believe everyone has their niche in this world. As I get older, I am realizing that my father's lack of support is not a reflection of my abilities or worth. This Scholarship will help support me create a female STEM club at sac state. I aspire to add to the growing list of female scientists in 2 years and intend to advocate to eradicate sexism and racism in STEM. We are capable and important. Science is not gender-based. There’s enough space for all to research and explore. Women in STEM are the future.

I come from a long lineage of a female-dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. Growing up, I was taught by my parents that a woman is expected to fulfill traditional gender roles such as catering to her husband, children and family. In many cultures around the world, women are not encouraged to school and pursue higher education. Unfortunately, this is also the case in my culture. ". The first time I told my parents about my interest to be a clinical laboratory scientist, my father looked at me and told me that women are not meant to be scientists. To be honest, this wasn’t a shocker to me considering my family background. This unsupportive attitude has had a profound impact on my life. It has been a significant source of stress and anxiety for me. His comments often left me feeling discouraged, and I began to doubt my abilities and question whether I was capable of achieving my dreams. This is where I learned perseverance. Perseverance to me in simple terms is a continued effort to achieve something despite opposition. It is also a measure of success, or at least how much sacrifice one is willing to make in the name of success. I tend to align my academic and career goals with the values I believe in. I never let the lack of support hinder me. However, this has made me value the opportunity I have to be educated and pursue a career I am passionate about. Science is an important aspect of human life; it generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. My interest in science peaked during my teenage, at 15 I remember going to the local library in Berkeley to read about biological ecosystems. One time, I came across an article on Eunice Foote a female American scientist, inventor, and women’s rights campaigner. She was the first scientist known to have experimented on the warming effect of sunlight on different gasses. However, she did not get the recognition she deserved simply because female scientists weren’t taken seriously back then. Currently, my academic goal is to earn my undergraduate degree as a Clinical laboratory science major. I attended my local community college for 3 years and recently got my associate in science degree for transfer. All my years at community college have taught me to appreciate the importance of a well-built community and it has made me appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have to access education. I successfully got accepted at CSU - Sacramento and I am extremely excited about that journey. I chose Clinical Laboratory Science because I felt drawn to the work ethic it requires. I strongly believe it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, I was taught that women couldn't have dreams asides from getting married. I strongly believe everyone has their niche in this world. As I get older, I am realizing that my father's lack of support is not a reflection of my abilities or worth. This Scholarship will help support me create a female STEM club at sac state. I aspire to add to the growing list of female scientists in 2 years and intend to advocate to eradicate sexism and racism in STEM. We are capable and important. Science is not gender-based. There’s enough space for all to research and explore. Women in STEM are the future.

Stacy Opubor is my name and I am the first-born daughter of first-generation immigrant Nigerian parents. My parents migrated to the United States in search for a better life for my siblings and me. However, I share very close connections to my roots and culture. I tend to align my academic and career goals with the values I believe in. Science is an important aspect of human life; it generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. My interest in science peaked during my teenage, at 15 I remember going to the local library in Berkeley to read about biological ecosystems. One time, I came across an article on Eunice Foote a female American scientist, inventor, and women’s rights campaigner. She was the first scientist known to have experimented on the warming effect of sunlight on different gasses. However, she did not get the recognition she deserved simply because female scientists weren’t taken seriously back in the day. Currently, my academic goal is to earn my undergraduate degree as a Clinical laboratory science major. I attended my local community college for 3 years and recently got my associate in science degree for transfer. All my years at community college have taught me to appreciate the importance of a well-built community and it has made me appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have to access education. I successfully got accepted at CSU - Sacramento and I am extremely excited about that journey. I chose Clinical Laboratory Science because I felt drawn to the work ethic it requires. I strongly believe it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, I was taught that it was impossible for women to have dreams asides from getting married. You know I come from a long lineage of a female-dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. This has made me value the opportunity I have to be educated and pursue a career I am passionate about. The current situation in my home country Nigeria, especially in the educational sector is disheartening. In the United States, there are various opportunities for one to develop their career which I am not taking for granted considering my background. One major setback I have faced since my journey is feeling lost with no guidance. Often, I have questions about how to work the system here but since not of my parents are college educated, it is hard to figure things out by yourself in a new country. My current studies have helped strengthen my problem-solving skills. All my calculus classes have taught me the importance of thinking outside the box, chemistry has taught me persistence, even if I am more likely to get it wrong than right. Biology has educated me more on how different organisms interact with their environment. All of these and those not mentioned are constantly shaping me for the career I’ve chosen. I know these skills will come to good use in no time. I aspire to add to the growing list of female scientists in 10 years and intend to advocate to eradicate sexism and racism in STEM.

I tend to align my academic and career goals with the values I believe in. I am immensely passionate about the importance of inclusion and representation in STEM. Science is an important aspect of human life; it generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. My interest in science peaked during my teenage, at 15 I remember going to the local library in Berkeley to read about biological ecosystems. One time, I came across an article on Eunice Foote a female American scientist, inventor, and women’s rights campaigner. She was the first scientist known to have experimented on the warming effect of sunlight on different gasses. However, she did not get the recognition she deserved simply because female scientists weren’t taken seriously back in the day. The first time I told my parents about my interest to be a clinical laboratory scientist, my father looked at me and told me that women are not meant to be scientists. To be honest, this wasn’t a shocker to me considering I come from a long lineage of a female-dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. Walter Eliot once said, "perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other". This has made me value the opportunity I have to be educated and pursue a career I am passionate about. . Currently, my academic goal is to earn my undergraduate degree as a Clinical laboratory science major. I attended my local community college for 3 years and recently got my associate in science degree for transfer. All my years at community college have taught me to appreciate the importance of a well-built community and it has made me appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have to access education. I successfully got accepted at CSU - Sacramento and I am extremely excited about that journey. I chose Clinical Laboratory Science because I felt drawn to the work ethic it requires. I strongly believe it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, I was taught that women couldn't have dreams asides from getting married. I aspire to add to the growing list of female scientists in 10 years and intend to advocate to eradicate sexism and racism in STEM. So many women in science have gone unnoticed and discredited simply because of their gender. We see the likes of Eunice Foote (1819-1888) and Alice Ball (1878-1968) go unrecognized despite their credible and influential addition to science. As a black woman, I aspire to inspire young women especially young black girls in STEM who suffer from racist and sexist environments as I do. We are capable and important. Science is not gender-based. There’s enough space for all to research and explore. Women in STEM are the future.

Currently, my academic goal is to earn my undergraduate degree as a Clinical laboratory science major. I attended my local community college for 3 years and recently got my associate in science degree for transfer. All my years at community college have taught me to appreciate the importance of a well-built community and it has made me appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have to access education. I successfully got accepted at CSU - Sacramento and I am extremely excited about that journey. I chose Clinical Laboratory Science because I felt drawn to the work ethic it requires. I strongly believe it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. They provide clues that are key in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or injuries. Being able to still cater to my patients without encountering them is something I can see myself being successful at. I plan to complete my undergraduate degree in the next two years and focus on my laboratory internship to gain experience in the workforce. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, I was taught that it was impossible for women to have dreams asides from getting married. I strongly believe everyone has their own niche in this world. You know I come from a long lineage of a female-dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. This has made me value the opportunity I have to be educated and pursue a career I am passionate about. My current studies have helped strengthen my problem-solving skills. All my calculus classes have taught me the importance of thinking outside the box, and chemistry has taught me persistence, even if I am more likely to get it wrong than right. Biology has educated me more on how different organisms interact with their environment. All of these and those not mentioned are constantly shaping me for the career I’ve chosen. I know these skills will come to good use in no time. I enrolled in a medical assisting program during the summer to learn more about patient care and the human body, this is to gain more experience in healthcare. I am immensely passionate about the importance of inclusion and representation in STEM. I tend to align my academic and career goals with the values I believe in. As a black woman, I aspire to inspire young women especially young black girls in STEM who suffer from imposter syndrome as I do. We are capable and important. Science is not gender-based. There’s enough space for all to research and explore. Women in STEM are the future.

I am immensely passionate about the importance of inclusion and representation in STEM. I tend to align my academic and career goals to values I believe in. Science is an important aspect of human life; it generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer the great mysteries of the universe. My interest in science peaked during my teenage, at 15 I remember going to the local library in Berkely to read about biological ecosystems. One time, I came across an article on Eunice Foote a female American scientist, inventor and women’s right campaigner. She was the first scientist known to have experimented on the warming effect of sunlight on different gasses. However, she did not get the recognition she deserved simply because female scientists weren’t taken seriously back in the day. Currently my academic goal is earning my undergraduate degree as a Clinical laboratory science major. I attended my local community college for 3 years and recently got my associates in science degree for transfer. All my years at community college has taught me to appreciate the importance of a well-built community and it has made me appreciate the opportunity and privilege I have to access education. I successfully got accepted at CSU - Sacramento and I am extremely excited about that journey. I chose Clinical laboratory Science because I felt drawn to the work ethic it requires. I strongly believe it is one of the unsung heroes of healthcare. They provide clues that are key in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or injury. Being able to still cater for my patients without encountering them is something I can see myself being successful at. I plan to complete my undergraduate degree in the next two years and focus on my laboratory internship to gain experience in the work force. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, I was taught that it was impossible for women to have dreams asides from getting married. I strongly believe everyone has their own niche in this world. up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. This has made me value the opportunity I have to be educated and pursue a career I am passionate about. My current studies has helped strengthen my problem solving skills. All my calculus classes have taught me the importance of thinking outside the box, chemistry has taught me persistence, even if I am more likely to get it wrong than right. Biology has educated me more on how different organisms interact with their environment. All of these and those not mentioned are constantly shaping me for the career I’ve chosen. I know these skills will come into good use in no time. I enrolled in a medical assisting program during the summer to learn more about patient care and the human body, this is to gain more experience in healthcare. I aspire to add to the growing list of female scientists in 10 years and intend to advocate to eradicate sexism and racism in STEM. So many women in science have gone unnoticed and discredited simply because of their gender. We see the likes of Eunice Foote (1819-1888) and Alice Ball (1878-1968) go unrecognized despite their credible and influential addition to science. As a black woman, I aspire to inspire young women especially young black girls in STEM who suffer from imposter syndrome like I do. We are capable and important. Science is not gender based. There’s enough space for all to research and explore. Women in STEM is the future.

"Mental health is not real, it's all an illusion. Get over it" that's what my parents told a 13 year old me when i fell into my first depressive mode. Those words still linger in my head and has shaped me in a not so positive way and it took me all the courage in the world to accept that fact. I often found myself invalidating not just my own feelings but also the feelings of those around me. I didn't allow myself to feel, for every emotion i had, i had several reasons to invalaidate and nullify it. There was this shell hovering around me which i had on. I feinged boldness and self independence. I believed for the longest time that help was something that i did not need. I never asked for help even for the slightest reasons. Why should i? after all i'm self sufficient. That's what i was taught and that was all i knew. I called people weak for showing emotions, i just could not understand why they couldn't just "get over it". By 19, i felt like i was going to explode one day, i had so much heaviness and pressure in my heart. All these years of masking up my emotions and ignoring them has started weighing me down. There was this project i had to do in school for my chemistry class which was real difficult, normally i would try to figure it out myself and not ask for help but it was a huge chunk of my grade. I knew that i needed assistance, so i politely asked a coursemate of mine and she gladly helped me. It was at this point i realized that asking for help was ok. I realized that i may have been asking for mental help from the wrong people. I was determined to correct this self dependent persona that i have carried along for almost all my life. I did researches, i reached out to my local community organizations, and even had my first therapy session on August 21st 2020. Acceptance was the hardest part of my healing process, but with help i am able to go through it. The rate at which mental health is not taken seriously in the black community is appalling and damaging. I know they are a lot of people currently in the same shoes i wore all these years,and it is my dream to be a mental health advocate in which ever area i find myself. I am very passionate about the importance of inclusion and representation and i know not feeling alone is a huge part of healing. I've started engaing in conversations that seek to encourage people that are going through something similar. I've been practising to be a better listener and not invalidate someone's emotion no matter if i believe in it or not. I'm still not at the place i want to be mentally but i know that asking for help is taking me there closer each day with the hopes of creating better and healthier relationships around me and being patient and kind to myself. To anyone feeling caved in and lonely, i encourage you to please ask for help. You are never alone.

I describe myself as a dreamer. I aspire to add to the growing percentage of black female scientists. I recently obtained an associates of science degree from my local community college and just got addmission to California State University - Sacramento to major in clinical laboratory science. I plan to complete my undergraduate degree in the next two years and focus of my laboratory intersnhip to gain experience in the work force. I consider myself a dreamer because growing up, i was taught that it was impossible for women to have dreams aisdes from getting married. I strongly believe everyone has their own niche in this world. You know I come from a long lineage of a female dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom.I became the first female to break that cycle and it wouldn't have been possible without a dream. I come from a typical African family where women are taught to get married and serve their husbands, cater for the family for the rest of their lives. My grand ma did it, my mom did also. But I chose not to because I need to find my niche in life and I know my purpose is not to serve a man and call him lord because he's my husband. My father called me a "naive fool" the day I informed him about my interest to become a CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST but instead of being sad and feel dejected, it made me thirst for success more. As a woman of color, i aspire to advocate against the sexism and racism women face in STEM with my position. To every girl child that has been told not to dream, you inspire me everyday to make the world a bettr place. I've found my niche in life and my dream is to see other women find theirs too. Without education, none of this would be possible or achievable. I'm very passionate about the importance of inclusion of representation. Glad to be added to the growing list of women in STEM. Believe me when I say women in STEM is the future.

Math in general helps us to have better problem solving skills. Calculus is beneficial in so many ways likedevelopmental reasoning, creativity and problem solving skills which can be aligned with the goals of STEM programs. Calc is so broad and can be used as a tool to tackle intergrative STEM problems. Calculus deals intesively with rate of change of functions which can be applied to even our everyday life. What is the rate of change of prices of an iPhone? What is the rate of change of velocity of a ball? It has also been crucial to the development of many scientific advancements.

Just the thought of the word "Woman" inspires me. We've been taught to associate weakness with womanhood but so many women out there, recognized or not have been breaking boundaries and paving ways for us all. I strongly believe everyone has their own niche in this world. We have a place where we fit and we do not need anybody to dictate that for us except our very own selves. You know I come from a long lineage of a female dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. I come from a typical African family where women are taught to get married and serve their husbands, cater for the family for the rest of their lives. My grand ma did it, my mom did also. But I chose not to because I need to find my niche in life and I know my destiny is not to serve a man and call him lord because he's my husband. My father called me a "naive fool" the day I informed him about my interest to become a CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST but instead of being sad and feel dejected, it made me thirst for success more. I attended community college for 3 years and just transferred to Sacramento State university to major in Biology - (clinical laboratory Science). I've found my niche in life and my dream is to see other women find theirs too. I'm very passionate about the importance of inclusion of representation. Glad to be added to the growing list of women in STEM. Believe me when I say women in STEM is the future.

Black girl magic is me and I am a full representation of Black excellence. I radiate excellence as a black woman in the way I speak and carry myself. You know I come from a long lineage of a female dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. I come from a typical African family where women are taught to get married and serve their husbands, cater for the family for the rest of their lives. My grand ma did it, my mom did also. But I chose not to because I need to find my niche in life and I know my destiny is not to serve a man and call him lord because he's my husband. My father called me a "naive fool" the day I informed him about my interest to become a CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST but instead of being sad and feel dejected, it made me thirst for success more. I attended community college for 3 years and just transferred to Sacramento State university to major in Biology - (clinical laboratory Science). That screams black girl magic to me. I've found my niche in life and my dream is to see other excellent black women find theirs too. I'm very passionate about the importance of inclusion of representation and I aspire to open one of the first few black owned stem cell research laboratory with the intention to employ a diverse staff filled with black excellence. Love to see that black people joy. Not just for me, but my little black queen who look up to me with so much hope and awe and for every girl child that has been made to feel unworthy of success. Glad to be added to the growing list of black women in STEM. Believe me when I say black women in /STEM is the future.

Taking up space to me, should be non existent? What space are we taking? and from whom are we taking this space? Men? I strongly believe everyone has their own niche in this world. We have a place where we fit and we do not need anybody to dictate that for us except our very own selves. I believe we don't need to scream at the top of our lungs, to say we matter. We already matter, that's a fact and it cannot be changed no matter how much one tries. You know I come from a long lineage of a female dominated family, and up till the 6th generation, none of the women in my family attended school or even sat in a classroom. I come from a typical African family where women are taught to get married and serve their husbands, cater for the family for the rest of their lives. My grand ma did it, my mom did also. But I chose not to because I need to find my niche in life and I know my destiny is not to serve a man and call him lord because he's my husband. My father called me a "naive fool" the day I informed him about my interest to become a CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST but instead of being sad and feel dejected, it made me thirst for success more. I attended community college for 3 years and just transferred to Sacramento State university to major in Biology - (clinical laboratory Science). I've found my niche in life and my dream is to see other women find theirs too. I'm very passionate about the importance of inclusion of representation. Glad to be added to the growing list of women in STEM. Believe me when I say women in /STEM is the future.

Success to me is time. In ,my opinion, time is the most expensive thing someone can have. Time is luxury. Being able to control how my time is used is success and a huge milestone to me. I'm currently 21 and I started working at the age of 14. I look at myself and wonder, "where has all this time gone?" When I'm in a room with other people my age, it makes me realize how much difference we have in time even though we've lived the same amount of time on earth. I have no core memory or happy memory within all these time because I've simply spent it trying to survive. Come from a typical African family that believes a girl/woman's niche in life is to get married and honor her husband. None of the women in my family for almost 8 generations went to college, they all got married and had multiple children but none ever sat in a classroom. I was 16 when my mother had the talk about marriage to me. Not even an high school senior but a search for a husband was ongoing for me by my family. It took all the courage in me to rebel against that and choose college. Today I am considered a "black sheep" amongst them. The day I informed my father about my interest to pursue a Clinical laboratory Science degree, he called me a "naive fool". What have I learnt from all this? I've learnt that your life is yours and it should be spent doing what makes you happy in honor to God. I've learnt to appreciate things more and be bold when it comes to what I feel. It has given me a sense of independence and character. I went to community college and supported myself through it alone with the help of God, now I'm taking a step to transfer to a 4year. I am not scared at all, I anticipate the moment. All the struggles I've had in life has made be courageous to anticipate this moment despite the uncertainty. In 20 years, I see myself being in control of my time and doing what makes me happy. Being an addition to the growing percentage of Female Black scientists. Not slaving at jobs to make ends meet and most importantly, advocating for the girl child all over the world for proper education. Women in stem is the future.

You know how in movies, we see women, female children being forced into marriage simply because building a home and keeping their husbands happy is their "niche" in life. Except this time, it is no theatrical movie. This is the reality of my life. The day I informed my father about my interest to attend college and pursue a Clinical laboratory science degree, he called me a "Naive fool". My mother is the eldest daughter amongst 8 sisters and I find it unarguably shocking that none of them went to school. My typical African family believes that women don't belong in college, especially in a STEM major. They hoped that after high school, I would go back home and marry a man to worship him for the rest of my life. I'm glad I took a bold step to break the cycle. I am considered a "black sheep" in my family simply because I chose a future. A happy future, doing what I love. So for me, the AMERICAN DREAM would be to complete my CLS degree and add to the growing percentage of female scientists. Especially being a first gen immigrant in this country. Not just to prove to my family and everyone with their mentality but most importantly to my 2 little sisters who are looking up to me with so much hope to not let them go through same ordeal. To every girl child that has been deemed unworthy of education. Just like you're creating opportunities with this scholarship, I would love to do same in the future. I believe that women in stem is the future.