Helping others by prolonging lives and improving the quality of lives is the reason that I have chosen a career in science. I hope the results of my scientific research will positively affect people’s lives. Endometriosis, childhood cancer (brain and neuroblastoma), and Alzheimer’s disease are areas of specific interest for me. I suffered from endometriosis until I had a total hysterectomy at a very young age. The ability to have children was stripped from me by endometriosis, and I hope to eliminate it from the lives of women who suffer from it. Biochemistry is my focus. I hope to develop treatments and/or medications to eradicate endometriosis. I will especially help my African American community by bringing awareness of the condition and awareness of specialists who are successful in treating the condition. Extensive, successful research will enable me to find a cure. Childhood cancer, especially brain cancer and neuroblastoma, is another area of research that I hope to pursue. The effects of childhood cancer are devastating for both the patient and the families. Siblings often feel confused and neglected when a brother or sister is sick. Parents often spend weeks at hospitals when their child with cancer must undergo treatment. Medical and travel expenses are astronomical. Siblings left behind suffer from worry and confusion. Finding cures and successful treatments will improve the children’s lives. Hospitals are scary from adults. They are even more so for sick children. I want to give back. I want to use my research results to positively impact the children’s lives. I will use my degree to offer hope and uplift the spirits of the children and their families. I will use my education to start and sponsor programs to eliminate families’ debts and to offer support for the patients’ siblings. Alzheimer’s disease is another area of focus for me. Currently, I am conducting biochemical research at school on neurotoxins that are similar to those found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. I have watched family members who are suffering from the disease. It is traumatic for all relatives and caretakers. Watching a once vibrant and intellectual person seemingly disappear is dis-heartening. I hope to discover a pharmaceutical solution to prevent and/or slow down the disease. I will up lift my community by advocating for changes in medical benefits that would allow for paid caretakers. Political changes and policies would need to be implemented to pay for the expense of in-home care especially as the population ages. I attend Tuskegee University where the chapel has a beautiful stained-glass display called the “Singing Windows.” One of the scenes depicted is of a man on a ladder with an outstretched hand lifting up another man who is down below. That scene is etched in my mind, and I plan to lift up and encourage others while I still climb and strive to reach all of my goals.

Healthcare inequity, poverty, racism, lack of affordable housing, and environmental racism are social justice issues that mean the most to me. Poverty tops the list because poverty limits access to solutions that may improve a person’s circumstances. It is a shame that poverty even exists in America. I believe that our global allies do need assistance and support, but taking care of Americans must be our first priority. Care should be taken to ensure that everyone’s basic needs are met. Many infants are born into poverty. Social Security and Medicaid are insufficient sources of income for senior citizens. With a lack a poverty, healthcare inequity would not be a huge problem. Poverty causes people to seek medical care at emergency rooms instead of using preventive visits to a primary care physician. The care at emergency rooms can not legally be denied, so it is often the only option that is available for the poor. Racism is another social justice issue that means the most to me. Looking beyond a person’s race, ethnicity or origin is necessary to combat racism. Systemic racism must be destroyed. Racist idealism works to keep power in the hands of those who refuse to accept others. Racism works to keep affordable housing off limits. It works to let minorities live in areas where environmental conditions are deplorable like the Flint River crisis. Racism and poverty work together to offer housing with sub-standard living conditions. When children are poor, live in poor housing communities, and lack access to affordable medical care, they start life with overwhelmingly negative odds. Lack of access to quality public school education only adds to the deficit. It is incredibly important to get involved to correct social injustices. If there is only one area that a person can strive to eliminate, that would make an incredible difference. For example, volunteering to carpool senior citizens and expectant mothers to doctors’ appointments will help to alleviate the travel inconveniences that they face. Offering to tutor students who might be struggling academically will help to encourage the students. Protesting and drawing media attention to deplorable living conditions and environmental hazards may result in positive solutions and clean-up efforts. Voting for congress members who work to end poverty and strike down systemic racism will help to get rid of many problems. Getting involved is necessary to improve social injustices. Like Martin Luther King Jr. said, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving.” We must move and do something.

Working while going to school full-time has been both rewarding and challenging. I work as a teaching assistant for the chemistry department, tutor chemistry and trigonometry, and work on weekends at a farm. In addition to those jobs, during the summer, I also work as a biology and chemistry camp teaching assistant for middle-school students. My work schedules have caused me to become very detailed oriented and very organized. Some days are challenging like during midterms and final exams. However, when I tutor and teach, I learn as well. Some days it seems like there is not enough time to accomplish all that needs to be done, and sometimes I even forget to eat. The jobs have helped me to manage my time and be productive. On days when a class may not have a lot of homework, I use that extra time to work ahead on other class assignments so that I have space in my schedule. The jobs keep me productive so that I do not waste time on non-productive activities. On days when I feel overwhelmed, I try to prioritize responsibilities. I rank assignments according to the closest deadline, and I try to break large projects down into smaller, manageable parts instead of stressing over a massive assignment. Occasionally, I fall short, but I try to get back on track. I have good relationships with my work-study professors, and they are very accommodating during exams. If I need to work shorter shifts, they allow me to reschedule shifts so that I have time to complete schoolwork. My current jobs are giving me invaluable experience for my post-graduate work. I hope to enter biomedical research, and my in-depth chemistry experience will enable me to be proficient in professional research laboratories. My experience with various chemicals, reactions, and equipment will make transitioning from a collegiate laboratory much easier. My teaching skills with both college and middle school students enhances my listening and problem-solving abilities which will go a long way with co-workers. Working on projects to develop pharmaceuticals that will improve human and animal lives is best achieved with the input of a group of research scientists working together. My job on the farm is extremely helpful because it is helping me develop skills of working with large animals. Along my educational journey, I have been blessed to work with a variety of animals. I have worked with zoological animals, abused horses and donkeys, and with small animals as a veterinary tech. The farm that I am currently working at has given me the opportunity to work sheering sheep, taking care of beehives, goats, a horse, cows, chickens, calves, a bull, and chickens. I am learning how to medically take care of the farm animals. All of my experiences in and out of the classroom will enable me to make a positive difference in both human and in animal lives.

I am Virginia Nicole Johnson. I attend Tuskegee University where I will be a senior during the 2024-2025 school year. My journey to get to senior year has been long, but I never lost focus or hope. I had to overcome many health challenges to get to senior year. I was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of fifteen. Many surgeries were attempted to remove endometrial tissue, but I ended up having a complete hysterectomy. During many of the surgeries, I had to withdraw from school and then come back. This caused my graduation date to be delayed, but I continued to press on. Anxiety and pain were very stressful for me, so I now have a service dog named Taffy. Tuskegee is an HBCU with strong research and veterinary history. Taffy was born on the goat farm at Tuskegee. Her mother, Marley, was the Great Pyrenees watch dog for the farm. Taffy and her siblings were going to be destroyed because Marley escaped and was impregnated by a stray. My friends and I each took one of the puppies. Taffy has a calm demeanor and was easily trained to be my service dog. She accompanies me wherever I go, and she helps my classmates before exams. She also does HABIT visits to schools that serve special-needs children. My own health journey has developed a desire in me to find cures for endometriosis and neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. I am currently conducting Alzheimer’s research at Tuskegee, and I plan to work in biomedical research to improve the lives of minority women who suffer from endometriosis. Black women’s health concerns are often marginalized. Our symptoms as women of color are even ignored. As an advocate for preserving the fertility of women of color, I hope to help women receive proper reproductive care and treatment. I also enjoy working with children who have special needs and who suffer from cancer. I hope that my research will lead to a cure. I know the financial and emotional burden on a family from mounting medical bills. If I can offer just a small amount of hope for the children’s families, I know that it will help. Empathy goes a long way, but financing a college education and graduate studies is very expensive. The Concrete Rose Scholarship will help by alleviating the financial strain that I face. I work as a teaching assistant for the chemistry department at Tuskegee, and I tutor students in chemistry and trigonometry. I also work at a farm where I help to take care of sheep, goats, cows, chickens, donkeys, a horse, and beehives. Working while going to school is challenging, but it helps with the strain of finances, and I am gaining valuable experience. Giving back to improve the lives of others from animals to small children is the positive impact that I hope to make.

War Horse By Virginia Nicole Johnson My mother has been the war horse of our family. She is a prayer warrior, and like a horse in battle, she never gives up. My mother fights for us on her knees. I have had many health challenges and surgeries. I could always count on her face being in the pre-op rooms with me. She would drive me to doctor’s offices, physical therapy, and hospitals so that I could get medical care. No matter how late at night nor how exhausted she might be, she still made time to get medical help. My mother is unashamedly Christian, and she has impacted my life the most by her faith. When I would be screaming from pain, her calm demeanor would help me to breathe and focus. She would tell me to focus on ten things that I could thank God for. Then, we would find another ten things. She is amazing. She homeschooled both me and my younger sister so that she could adapt our education to our learning styles. She made sure that our faith was developed and steadfast. She would work full-time during the day, pick up me and my sister from my aunt’s house, and then we would do school. She also managed to cook, teach, and take us to extracurricular activities. She impacted my life my showing me to never give up. She saved my life by discovering a specialist who listened to my health concerns and removed endometrial tissue that was left behind in my body by another doctor. She was relentless in her pursuit to find a doctor who could help me. My mother listens and is my health advocate. She has taught me to use my voice to speak up for myself and others. Her compassion and care have led me to show empathy and care to others who are hurting. My care extends from animals to children at my church. I volunteer at a farm and help with the sheep, goats, donkeys, cows, and a horse. Animals have an innate sense towards people. Most know if someone is kind and trying to help them. Soothing sheep who are about to be sheered, and quickly returning a wayward kid goat to its mother are acts of kindness that go a long way. When I am exhausted from working on the farm, I remember how my mother would come home from work and find the strength to teach us with a smile on her face and a voice full of laughter. She would give us side pokes if we daydreamed. My mother found good in all that we faced. She has positively impacted me to look for the good and to be an advocate for the animals. She has impacted me to continue on with my research to help improve the quality of life of women who face endometriosis. I can use the empathy that my experiences generated to help others and to find a cure. Childhood cancer in the form of neuroblastoma is another disease that I hope to use research to eradicate. Pain has developed perseverance in my life. Like a war horse, I may face battles and my shoes may need to be replaced, but my spirit will not be broken. My mother has shown me how to be triumphant in battles and win the war.

Plan A, B, C, and D By Virginia Nicole Johnson I am a rising senior at Tuskegee University. I am majoring in chemistry and animal science. I have had many health challenges in the past, but I have not given up my goal of completing my undergraduate college degree. At the age of fifteen, I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I underwent six surgeries for it until I had to finally have a hysterectomy. The surgeon left one of my ovaries in hopes that I could have biological children via a surrogate, but a polycystic dysfunction caused me to have an additional surgery to remove the malfunctioning ovary. Plan A was to go to college continually for four years without any breaks, but I had to resort to Plans B-attend between surgeries, and Plan-C- withdraw while my body healed in order to get to where I am now. Plan D make it to where I am now, a rising senior student. My health journey raised my awareness of health inequity and misdiagnosis. I am currently conducting Alzheimer’s research at school. I love research, and I hope to enter the field of biomedical research. I want to also want to discover medicine that will aid in the treatment of endometriosis. Medical research can lead to cures for debilitating diseases, and I hope to alleviate the suffering that many medical patients endure. My own health experiences have developed empathy in me for others who are in physical pain. Discoveries that are made in a research facility may improve the health outcomes of others. Pharmaceutical remedies will also be a part of my research. Being told that you will never be able to have biological children is devastating. I had to undergo grief therapy to help me deal with the loss. If I can help to prevent or find a cure, many women may not have to hear such life changing news. I especially want to go into medical research in order to narrow my focus to marginalized and excluded women of color. Misdiagnosis and negligence is more prevalent for women of color. Lack of education and finances may also contribute to inadequate care. I hope to narrow my research to specifically target and improve their lives. My journey has had may changes of plans, but I hope the end result with be discoveries that help others from Alzheimer’s disease to the painful reproductive disease of endometriosis.

My hometown is Knoxville, Tennessee. It is a predominantly White town. Racial profiling occurs in Knoxville, and Blacks are treated differently. I chose to attend Tuskegee University because I wanted to learn and thrive in an environment where for once, I would part of the majority. I chose Tuskegee because it has stellar STEM and research opportunities, and it has the only black veterinary school in the United States. The professors and staff are extremely encouraging. I am free to let down my guard and be myself. I laugh and cry with my classmates, and our instructors push us to be our best. They show us by their examples that they have “made it” and we can too. Being Black to me means that the world continues to judge me because of the color of my skin. Being black means that I must work harder in order to be successful in the White world. Being Black means that I have blood in my veins that carry the strength of my African ancestors who overcame incredible obstacles so that their decedents would survive and succeed. Being Black means that my skin may be brown, but my mind and will are bright as the sun. My career goal is to work in biochemical pharmaceutical research and be an advocate for Black women with endometriosis who are often marginalized in healthcare. I hope to use my research so that they will have good health outcomes.

TU, U Know By Virginia Nicole Johnson I am a rising senior at Tuskegee University, and I will graduate in May of 2025. I chose to attend Tuskegee because four of the veterinarians that mentored me are Tuskegee alumni. My hometown has predominately white colleges, and I wanted to attend a university where the majority of professors, students, and staff looked like me. During the spring of my junior year of high school, my parents took me to visit Tuskegee’s campus, and I fell in love with the supportive environment. The college tour ambassador took us into the chapel where I saw the stained-glass pictures in the “Singing Windows” display. One depiction on the glass was that of a man on a ladder with his hand outstretched to lift up another man on a lower rung of the ladder. This spirit of lifting up others is what an HBCU means to me. My professors look like me. They are approachable and very supportive. We laugh together and bow our heads together when society treats us differently. Tuskegee embraces a culture of excellence. We are encouraged and expected to do our very best. Our history, from Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver to the Tuskegee Airmen is rich with a can-do spirit. Tuskegee has the only Black veterinary school in United States, and our chemistry and biology departments are outstanding. Social life is vibrant with fraternities and sororities, and our homecomings bring the entire city together. Attending an HBCU gives me the freedom to study with professionals who have “made it" and who want their students to make it as well. Tuskegee is also special to me because I rescued a puppy from the school’s goat farm who ending up becoming my service dog. Taffy was one of ten puppies born to Marley the Great Pyrenees guard dog who protected the goats. The puppies were of mixed-breed and four of them froze to death. My friends and I took care of the remaining six puppies. Taffy was one of the surviving puppies. I snuck her into my dorm room and I would put her in my backpack when I passed my dorm mother’s office on the way out to classes. My roommate and I took care of her until my parents came to pick her up. It is funny to imagine that Taffy, who weighs 110 pounds, was once able to fit into my backpack. She is my trained service dog, and now she attends classes at Tuskegee right beside me. She stretches out in class, and she shakes when she knows class is over. She is kind and gentle and has been in numerous hospitals, airplanes, hotels, and basically wherever I go. Everyone is supportive of her, and we plan to make her a graduation cap and gown. Without Tuskegee’s goat farm, I would not have Taffy. Tuskegee has many research opportunities, and I hope to use my education to improve the lives of children with neuroblastoma. I also want to be an advocate for Black women who suffer from endometriosis. My journey to reach senior year was filled with small detours due to surgeries and health challenges. All of my professors were supportive and took measures to keep me on track. Tuskegee is more than a university. It is a family. Students who are unable to go home for holidays are welcomed to various professors’ homes, and if a student gets ill, our staff makes sure that they are taken care of. Seeing Black professionalism at an HBCU encourages me that I too will be successful. Graduation is a major event here, and PhD and vet school students usually receive their diplomas first, but I will not be far behind. Once I graduate, I plan to continue to make a difference in my community by continuing with research. I hope to join a biochemical research company, and complete cancer research. Currently I am working on Alzheimer’s research in my biochemistry class. I hope to help Black women who suffer from endometriosis find resources from physicians and dietitians to mental health professionals. My research with neuroblastoma will hopefully improve the lives of children diagnosed with the disease and give hope to their families. Tuskegee is a great HBCU. U know?

Hooves, Manes, Bees, and Beaks By Virginia Nicole Johnson I am about to complete by third year of college, and in the fall, I will be a senior. My educational journey has had many twists and turns along the way. Health issues and multiple surgeries caused temporary detours, but persistence and determination have allowed me to be close to completing the journey. As a chemistry and animal science major, I have been blessed with many opportunities to volunteer and work with animals. During high school, I volunteered and completed research at the Knoxville Zoo. I volunteered at Bird Shows and learned about caring for birds. I was a docent and roved the zoo with Animal Facts, and inter-active learning program for zoo visitors. I completed extensive research on North American river otters, and I helped with animal husbandry. I shared my love of zoo animals with children as a summer zoo camp counselor, and I was employed at the zoo as a birthday party host. Volunteering and working at the zoo expanded my knowledge of zoological animals. Volunteering at a local animal hospital and vet clinic in high school and college further established my dream of working to improve the lives of animals with the use of medications that are safe. Animal pharmaceuticals is the field that I hope to enjoy a career in. During high school and college, I was also given an amazing opportunity to work with rescued and abused horses and donkeys at Horse Haven of Tennessee. Participating in restoring an equine animal to good health was amazing. Currently, I am working as an intern on a farm that is close to my college, Tuskegee University. I work with an array of farm animals including cows, a bull, sheep, goats, chickens, donkeys, and a horse. I also work with maintaining the farm’s thriving beehives. The hands-on experience is enabling me to learn how to successfully run a small farm and care for the animals. Hands-on experience in zoology, small animal clinic practice, equine care, and farm animals has given me the skills that are necessary when caring for a variety of animals. My future goals have been impacted by observing how adequate care can dramatically improve animals’ lives. I plan to use my education as a chemistry and animal science major to positively impact animals. Use of more organic materials and more holistic methods will result in positive outcomes. Traditional classroom learning, summer internship training at Michigan State during my second year of college, and hands-on farm training will prepare me to care for many hooves, manes, bees, and beaks.

I had a hysterectomy in 2018, so physically having my own biological child is not a possibility. Getting to the point of the necessity for the hysterectomy was the biggest challenge of my life. At the age of fifteen, I was diagnosed with endometriosis. A painful condition where the endometrial lining of the uterus is deficient. During a normal menstral cycle the lining is removed during monthly menstruation. With endometriosis, the lining can end up in different parts of female reproductive organs. I underwent three surgeries to remove endometrial tissue, but extreme pain continued. During this time, I had just begun attending college. I had to withdraw several times due to surgery and post-op recovery. Finally, my mother located an endometriosis specialist in Atlanta, Georgia who successfully excised the tissue. I returned to college, only to find that my ovaries were polycystic. Both ovaries had cysts which would form and then burst. The pain was unbearable. I endured many trips to emergency rooms and doctor’s offices. My doctor in Atlanta and I agreed that I had reached my limit. So, in 2018, at the age of 25, I had a hysterectomy. I recovered from the surgery with the loving support of my family. Grief hit later. I would see families with infants in stores, and the longing and loss that I felt was unbearable. I received therapy from a grief counselor which helped me to cope. I do not know if I will ever be “ok” with the loss, but I plan to use my lack to help others. Focusing on helping marginalized women receive proper medical reproductive healthcare is one of my goals. Misdiagnosis and lack of empathy for minority women’s health is a problem. I know from my own medical experiences that a woman’s health concerns are often pushed aside. This is especially a problem for Black women. We are expected to suffer in silence, while wealthy White women have their needs met. I hope to use my research and pharmaceutical training to advocate for better health outcomes for Black women. Inadequate funds for medical insurance and medical care is also a problem. The location of hospitals and clinics that are close to the residences of Black women is often non-existent. Transportation is a problem for many low-income women. Yet, with all of these obstacles, healthcare for all women, regardless of income and race, should be a right. I hope to make a difference. My journey has been long and difficult, but I refuse to give up. Instead, I chose to be hopeful and pursue all of my goals. I will be a senior next year at Tuskegee University. I will complete requirements for my major and minor, and I will continue to be a voice for those who are suffering. My nursery may not have my own biological child in it, but it will be filled with many adoptable children that I will love as my own. Difficulties come, but I plan to turn those around and use my experiences to ease the pain of others. In the end, there will be babies for those of us who wish to experience the joys of parenthood.

No Baby in the Bassinet By Virginia Nicole Johnson There will not be a biological baby in the bassinet for me. I had a hysterectomy in 2018, so physically having my own biological child is not a possibility. Getting to the point of the necessity for the hysterectomy was the biggest challenge of my life. At the age of fifteen, I was diagnosed with endometriosis. A painful condition where the endometrial lining of the uterus is deficient. During a normal menstral cycle the lining is removed during monthly menstruation. With endometriosis, the lining can end up in different parts of female reproductive organs. I underwent three surgeries to remove endometrial tissue, but extreme pain continued. During this time, I had just begun attending college. I had to withdraw several times due to surgery and post-op recovery. Finally, my mother located an endometriosis specialist in Atlanta, Georgia who successfully excised the tissue. I returned to college, only to find that my ovaries were polycystic. Both ovaries had cysts which would form and then burst. The pain was unbearable. I endured many trips to emergency rooms and doctor’s offices. My doctor and I agreed that I had reached my limit. So, in 2018, at the age of 25, I had a hysterectomy. I recovered from the surgery with the loving support of my family. Grief hit later. I would see families with infants in stores, and the longing and loss that I felt was unbearable. I received therapy from a grief counselor which helped me to cope. I do not know if I will ever be “ok” with the loss, but I plan to use my lack to help others. Focusing on helping marginalized women receive proper medical reproductive healthcare is one of my goals. Misdiagnosis and lack of empathy for minority women’s health is a problem. I hope to use my research and pharmaceutical training to advocate for better health outcomes for women. My journey has been long and difficult, but I refuse to give up. Instead, I chose to be hopeful and pursue all of my goals. I will be a senior next year at Tuskegee University. I will complete requirements for my major and minor, and I will continue to be a voice for those who are suffering. My nursery may not have my own biological child in it, but it will be filled with many adoptable children that I will love as my own. Difficulties come, but I plan to turn those around and use my experiences to ease the pain of others. In the end, there will be bassinets with babies.

Taffy is the reason why I have chosen to work with animals. Taffy is my service dog. I saved Taffy from being killed when she was a puppy, and now she is saving me and brightening the lives of many others. Taffy was born on the goat farm at Tuskegee University where I attend college. Her mother, Marley, is a pure-bred Great Pyrenees who kept watch over the goats on the farm. One day, Marley escaped from the farm and became impregnated by a stray dog. She had 12 puppies, but six of them froze to death. My friends and I who worked on the farm decided to rescue the remaining puppies when the goat keeper made the decision to kill them since they were not pure bred. We begged him to not destroy them until they were weaned, and we took care of them and Marley with fresh straw, water, and food for Marley. When weaning was over, we took the puppies. I selected a chubby ball of fur and named her Taffy. My parents could not come to take Taffy home until spring break, so Taffy lived with me and my suite mate for two months. I slipped past my dorm mother on the way to classes with Taffy in my backpack. She never made a sound! Taffy grew into an absolutely wonderful dog with a very calm personality. She was so exceptional until she was trained to be a Habit Dog, and together we would regularly visit special-needs children. My life has been full of health challenges, and due to several of those challenges, I developed anxiety and seizures. Taffy is trained in to help me and alert others. Taffy also had to have surgery and is on prescription food which is very expensive. I would like to discover more natural remedies for animals and reduce the amount of chemicals that they are subjected to. I have extensive animal experience from exotic zoological animals to domestic animals and research animals. My health challenges have caused me to develop empathy and a strong desire to help animals. Just like I saved Taffy, and she saved me, I hope to save the lives of the animals that I work with. Whether it is marine biology, zoology or domestic, I plan to use my chemical and pharmaceutical education to take care of animals who bring us so much joy.

My educational path has been non-traditional due to medical problems which included four surgeries. I had to sit out for a few semesters while I recuperated, but I refused to give up on my dream of completing my college education, and next year, I will be a senior. The scholarship will help me to reach that goal. I attend Tuskegee University in Alabama where I am a double-major in chemistry and animal science. I plan to work in research and animal pharmaceuticals. I tutor students in math, chemistry, and biochemistry so that they can be successful. In their educational pursuits. I also work as a teaching assistant for two chemistry professors. The scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burden that I have. I also have many medical bills that must be paid. I am applying for summer internships to supplement my work-study teaching assistant jobs, but tuition is very expensive. Help in the form of a scholarship rather than a loan would be enormous. I also plan to continue my education by enrolling in the Tuskegee’s Master of Public Health program. I plan to use my biochemistry and animal research results to help African-American women who are often marginalized when it comes to their health. Due to the effects of battling endometriosis, I had to have a hysterectomy at the age of twenty-three. If I can help other African-American women preserve their fertility, then my struggles will not be in vain. Helping others is my goal. The scholarship will enable me to do that. I am thankful that the Malcolm family is offering the scholarship. There is a display of stained-glass windows in the Tuskegee Chapel called “The Singing Windows.” In this display, there is one particular window that shows African Americans climbing a ladder. Those on the higher rungs are reaching down to those on the lower rungs to lift them up. That is my goal while I am a student and especially once I am working in my profession. I want to reach back and lift up others as they try to advance their lives with a college education. Just offering the scholarship gives students like me hope that others are willing to donate towards our education. The scholarship will soften the financial blows that a college education often delivers. Just a little bit of assistance goes a long way toward encouraging one to press forward. Please consider my application for the scholarship, it would help me tremendously.

All God’s Children By Virginia Nicole Johnson I attend Tuskegee University where I volunteer as a chemistry and math tutor. I am also a teaching assistant for the chemistry department. I love working to help students understand subjects that may be challenging. When my students grasp how equations balance or how to reach a correct answer in math, I am just as excited as they are. If I could improve my community, I would start an after-school program to assist students with homework from elementary school up to high school. I would begin with my home church, Overcoming Believers Church. My minister is very supportive of our youth department and education. I work with the teens at my church, but homework help is needed with elementary students as well. There is not a program in any of the churches in my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. Many of my teens are anxious to learn about college, and they want to get an education to better their lives. If there was a program to help them at least three afternoons a week, their grades could improve. I would serve snacks and dinner, so their parents could just pick them up and know that their schoolwork would be complete. My teens look up to those of us who are in college. They love to hear stories about college life and living away from home on a college campus. We do visit HBCUs, but we need to increase their skills so that they will be successful once they enter college. If we start in elementary school, we can lay a foundation for them to obtain competitive scholarships and internships. I would implement the program at my church, speak to other churches, and hope that other churches would join in preparing our children. There are many retired educators in my hometown who may be willing to help. I would have speakers from various professions come in to talk to the students and encourage them. We have retired professors, athletes, doctors, nurses, dancers, musicians, singers, teachers, engineers, business owners, and people from a host of different occupations. Seeing successful people who look like them, and who can relate to the struggles they will face, will encourage the students. They will be taught that as long as they set their minds to their goals, they will be able to achieve them. Giving back by helping with homework and a good meal will let the students know that they are the future, and we are willing to put in the time that is necessary to help lift them up to make it in a world where they are marginalized. My students will have the tools that are necessary to succeed. Report card results would be shared with their mentors, and any corrective action that may be needed would be put into place. We would cheer their successes. Having someone to encourage them would inspire them to accomplish great things. We could be training the next Condoleezza Rice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Barack or Michelle Obama, or George Washington Carver. Who knows what amazing things lie in store for my students? It would be an honor to say that I helped in just some small way. Once we “make it”, we are obligated to lift someone else up. In the chapel at Tuskegee, there is a mural that depicts African Americans lifting others up a long ladder. We must reach out our hands and lift up our youth for they are all God’s children.

Pain is a Four-Letter Word By Virginia Nicole Johnson Pain is a four-letter word! It is not as vulgar as some of the other four-letter words, but it is terrible. I began to suffer from terrible abdominal pain when I was fifteen years old. I went to emergency rooms numerous times with the pain. On one visit, an emergency room physician suggested that my pain may be due to gynecological issues and referred me to a gynecologist. The gynecologist prescribed medications. After a year of taking the medications, the pain continued. He suggested a laparoscopic procedure to find out the cause of my pain. During the procedure, endometriosis was discovered. He attempted to remove the offending tissue. The pain subsided for a while, and I was able to resume school and my volunteer activities. Horse Haven of Tennessee is one of the organizations that I volunteered with. During one rescue event, Horse Haven rescued twenty abused horses and donkeys. They were skinny with ribs showing through damaged coats. Worst of all, many of their hooves were overgrown so long that they were curving inward and making it difficult for them to even walk. I cried when I saw them. They were starving but overfeeding them could cause more pain. Pain! That four-letter word. I forgot my own pain as I worked to gently help them. Many were distrustful of humans and scared of our brushes and curry combs. I bonded with one of the mares. She began to trust me, and eventually, I could put a bridle on her, and lead her on small walks. Horses can sense our pain, and our mutual trust was beneficial for both of us. One day, both she and I would be pain-free. I had to have four more surgeries before having a complete hysterectomy. I had to withdraw from school a few times in order to have surgery and recover. I also became depressed knowing that I would not be able to have biological children of my own. Kodiak my Bichon Friese inspired me to continue. I received Kodiak as a birthday present. He suffered a seizure and was paralyzed for four years. He could not walk and had to wear diapers, but he never lost his joyful spirit. He loved to go on car rides and rides in his stroller. When I wanted to give up or feel sorry for myself, his joyful smile kept me going. I also volunteered for the vet clinic that took care of Kodiak until he died. I learned so much from the vets there. All four vets are Tuskegee University Veterinary School graduates, and they are encouraging and empowering me to consider vet school. My future career aspirations will concentrate on alleviating pain. I hope to enroll in Tuskegee’s Master of Public Health program so that I can learn how to be an advocate for African American women who suffer from endometriosis as I did. African American women are often marginalized and misdiagnosed when it comes to their reproductive health. I hope to make early diagnosis and preservation of reproductive organs a possibility for African American women. I do not want them to suffer pain needlessly. I also hope to go into animal pharmaceuticals and/or become a veterinarian. Pain is a four-letter word, but I have found that hope is a four-letter word as well.

I am Virginia Nicole Johnson, a rising senior attending Tuskegee University. I have successfully overcome many health battles in order to achieve my dream of completing the requirements for my undergraduate degree at Tuskegee. I had to withdraw from college for several semesters in order to undergo surgeries and necessary medical procedures. The support and encouragement that I have received from my professors and staff members has enabled me to strive for excellence and success. My hometown is Knoxville, Tennessee. I volunteered at Bird Shows and completed research on North American river otters at The Knoxville Zoo. I also helped to take care of abused horses at Horse Haven of Tennessee. The health of animals has been an area of interest for me. My long-term goal is to become a veterinarian. I worked as a vet tech for Asheville Highway Animal Hospital where I assisted with surgeries, dentals, vaccines, physicals, laboratory and x-ray analysis, grooming and boarding. I have learned about animal care which will aid me when I become a veterinarian. I plan to complete my undergraduate studies at Tuskegee in May of 2024. Afterward, I plan to enroll in Tuskegee’s Master of Public Health program. I plan to complete biochemical research at Tuskegee and eventually find medications that are successful in treating and preventing endometriosis in marginalized African American women. I plan to be an advocate for women who suffer from the disease. After completing the requirements for the master’s degree, I plan to enroll in Tuskegee’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Tuskegee is an outstanding STEM school and its vet school is excellent. The hands-on education that I will receive will equip me with the tools that are necessary to become an outstanding veterinarian. Community involvement for me includes volunteering as a tutor for students who need help with calculus and chemistry at Tuskegee. When I am home on breaks from school, I volunteer to help high school students at my church. We discuss life issues, go over college applications, and participate in Bible and personal growth activities. I share my educational journeys with the students in order to prepare them for college and life away from home. My major accomplishments include completing research on the use of plant products to alleviate the toxic effects of amyloid-beta in C. elegans model for Alzheimer’s disease. My research will be presented in the Fall of 2023. Another accomplishment is the completion of the VetWard Bound Program at Michigan State University. It was an intense summer research internship. I learned so much about the field of veterinary medicine with students from all over the United States. With the money that I am awarded from the scholarship, I will pay tuition for next year. My long-term goals are to work hard to receive tuition scholarships. I work hard at my college’s work-study job, but compensation is inadequate for tuition, housing, and living expenses. The scholarship will help to cover those expenses. It is an honor to be considered for the scholarship. With the money that I save from paying down student loans, I will be able to open my own veterinary clinic. I hope to have emergency funds set aside for clients who are unable to afford treatment for their pets. I also plan to have emergency food stocked for those who may suffer unforeseen financial challenges. I also plan to be an advocate for African American women who suffer from endometriosis. Money saved will help with transportation costs and support measures.

I have chosen to further my education in order to be equipped to care for others. My long-term goal is to become a veterinarian, so I must complete my formal education in order to obtain the skills that are necessary to improve the health of animals. I am completing my education at Tuskegee University, the only HBCU that has a College of Veterinary Medicine. When I complete my undergraduate studies, I plan to enroll in Tuskegee’s Master of Public Health program. I want to complete biochemical research that will improve the health outcomes of marginalized African American women with regard to endometriosis. I hope to find better medicines to treat endometriosis, and I want to be an advocate for African American women who suffer from endometriosis. Pharmaceutical research is best completed in an educational environment that has the necessary equipment and tools for successful results. Tuskegee University is an excellent STEM institution. My final educational pursuit will be to graduate from veterinary school. The hands-on education that I will receive will enable me to provide excellent medical care for canine, feline, equestrian, and exotic animals. This scholarship will help to relieve some of the financial burdens that I have. Looking at future debt is daunting. Obtaining a master’s degree and a degree of veterinary medicine is very expensive. Tuition, housing, utilities, books, and lab supplies are very expensive. I currently have a work-study job, but it is not enough to cover all of my expenses. In the long run, my education will be rewarding financially, but being awarded a scholarship will help me avoid numerous student loans. A college education is vital for my goals, but it comes with a steep price. The scholarship will encourage me with the knowledge that others support my endeavors enough to provide financial assistance in the form of a scholarship. My educational journey will be rewarding when I discover an innovative medication to fight endometriosis. It will be rewarding when I saw the life or limb of a dog that has been hit by a car. It will be rewarding when I prescribe nutrients and supplements for an abused horse who thrives and trusts humans again. I will use all of my educational skills that are acquired in and out of classrooms and labs to make a positive difference. My journey will be smoother with educational assistance, and I hope to one day support students with scholarships that I donate.

Brilliant By Virginia Nicole Johnson Black students are brilliant is the opinion that I have. It is unpopular in mainstream America. It is unpopular in the media. It is unpopular on the campuses of many predominately white institutions of higher learning. It may be unpopular, but it is true. As a student at Tuskegee University, I am privileged to learn with fellow black students who are brilliant. Tuskegee is known for its excellent STEM programs, aerospace engineering programs, and its College of Veterinary Medicine. My biochemistry professor and I are currently working on a research project that will be presented nationally during the Fall 2023 semester. Fellow students are working in fellowships and internships for Boeing, Purdue, Royal Canine, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. armed forces. Contrary to negative stereotypes, we study, and we excel. We are not lazy. We are not on drugs. We are not violent. We work hard, and we are successful. When we graduate, we go on to graduate programs, work at well-compensated jobs, and we make a difference. There is a mural in the Tuskegee Chapel that has stained-glass pictures depicting African Americans on a ladder lifting up other African Americans to higher heights on that ladder. The mural accurately displays the genuine concern and care for us that is displayed by our professors at Tuskegee. They expect greatness and nothing less. They expect us to successfully complete our programs and graduate. Those of us who are gifted in various areas volunteer to tutor our fellow students in math, chemistry, biology, and English. When one succeeds, we can celebrate because we know it is possible for all of us to make a difference. I refuse to let anyone define me. Mae Jamison, the first African American female astronaut, said “never be limited by other people’s imagination.” I refuse to be limited by narrow-minded, incorrect assumptions. I have African American instructors who have earned their doctorate degrees in an array of areas. Chemists, botanists, biologists, engineers, mathematicians, veterinarians, linguists, and philosophers pour out from their specialties into our educations. They challenge us, and they generate the best outcomes for us. So, when I see negative television reports of students who look like me, I refuse to bow to the misinformation. Every black student is not ignorant. We shine brilliantly like the stars. We are capable, and we do succeed. We have to press forward and never accept negative opinions. We have to brilliantly light the way so that the world will know the truth.

Kodiak By Virginia Nicole Johnson When we first got him, he was a ball of white fluffy fur. He had short little legs, and he smiled all of the time. His name was Kodiak. He was my dog. He was my best friend. Kodiak ate crayons, blitzed around the house, and he was an escape artist. I loved him dearly. When he was six years old, he suffered a seizure and ruptured several discs in his back. He became paralyzed in his back legs. Kodiak never lost a beat. He still welcomed me with a smile, and he loved to go on car rides. My family and I adapted to his paralysis. We purchased a stroller for him so that he could continue to go on walks in the park, and we used doggie diapers for him. Kodiak remined joyful and happy until he passed away three years after his paralysis. Kodiak inspired my life more than anyone. His can-do spirit and everlasting joy were an inspiration for me. I also faced numerous health challenges, but he inspired me to never give up. Kodiak inspired me to go thru challenges with a smile, confident that success is on the other side. I plan to complete my undergraduate degree at Tuskegee University in Animal Sciences and Biology. I plan to enroll in the Masters of Public Health program at Tuskegee, and then go on to veterinary school. I want to study animal pharmaceuticals, and I am currently working on a biochemistry research project. I hope to find medicines that are beneficial to both humans and animals. I had to have a hysterectomy, so I want to use public health as a forum for improving health outcomes for women who suffer from endometriosis. I also plan to actively work to certify service animals for visits to classrooms for special needs children. Animals can offer comfort in so many ways. I am unique because I am a little older than my classmates. I had to withdraw from college to have surgeries and medical procedures, but I will be completing my senior year in the fall of 2023. I have always loved working with animals. I volunteered at the Knoxville Zoo where I worked at Bird Shows, performed research on the North American River Otters, and served as a docent. I also lovingly cared for horses at Horse Haven of Tennessee. Horse Haven is a rescue organization for abused and neglected horses and donkeys. Asheville Highway Animal Hospital offered me training in their veterinary mentoring program, and I was employed there during summers as a vet tech. My love for animals is my passion. Their health and the health of women are areas that I plan to specialize in. Because of love from a little, white ball of fur, I will pass along kindness and care to those that I hope to heal.

Dr. Virginia Johnson, inventor of Woman Genesis, the first successful oral treatment for endometriosis.

Community Center By Virginia Nicole Johnson I would improve my community by building a community center for the children. It would be used for pre-school to high school students. It would be open all year, so that children could continue to learn and also have a safe space to play. It is important to me to have the community center because students need a place to learn and grow. Preschoolers can benefit from older students who may serve as volunteers and tutors. The community center would be a place to serve and receive service. African American preschoolers in my community would get a chance to learn to read before beginning school. Computers, art and music lessons, and sports activities would enrich their lives. Grade school children could also benefit from a community center. If the center remained open until 7:00 pm, it would give them a chance to receive help with homework or enroll in extracurricular activities. A staff to provide tutoring and after-school snacks would be essential. The community center would also give parents a sense of security that their children are in a safe space until they can be retrieved once parents finish their work-days. High school students could benefit from a community center as well. Along with tutoring, college prep help and advising would be provided. There are many retired educators in my community who would love to volunteer to help others. Trips would be taken to visit colleges, museums, and important African American historical sites. I would also invite various professionals from an array of professions to speak to the high school students and start mentoring programs. Financial aid workshops for parents and students would be given as well. It is important for me to have a community center because the young people in my community tend to be forgotten. Opportunities for African American students lag behind those of Caucasian students in affluent areas of my town. It is important for me to show the children that they do have the potential for greatness. It is important for those of us in my community who have “made it” to give back. If we can share our struggles and triumphs, we can encourage them continue their educations and be successful. It is important to me to give back. If I can make a positive impact on just one person’s life, then I will know that everything is worth it. A community center has the word community in it, and that is what is needed most for the African American children in my area.

Cohesion By Virginia Nicole Johnson When I get into the biochemistry lab and check the blood-agar plates where the worms are growing for my biochemistry project, I am always amazed at how some of the worms group together in tight cohesiveness while a few are left exposed on the blood-agar plate. The majority of the worms are tightly grouped together. They are cohesive and more likely to survive than the worms that are left alone. I like the chance for survival, and obtaining a college education will enable me to survive, thrive and help others. The research that I am performing at Tuskegee will enable me discover solutions to help those who are marginalized in the African American community with regards to health care. I need the educational tools that only college, summer internships, and mentoring programs can provide. College will equip me with the skill that I need so that I can help others. The Chapel at Tuskegee University has a beautiful stained-glass wall that depicts African Americans helping lift others up along a long staircase. Going to college gives me the arms to help others. I have already gotten so much out of my college experience. Tuskegee University is like a family. My professors only expect the best from us. They actively listen to us, and they encourage us. While I am in college, I intend to make the most of my college experience. I volunteer with my sorority to help young mothers in the community, and I volunteer as a math and chemistry tutor to help my fellow students succeed. While in college, I give while learning. I laugh and cry with my classmates. Our unity, our cohesiveness, will propel us to greatness. We are not like the worms who leave the pack and are left to face obstacles alone. We move as a group, supporting those who need support, and cheering on those who lead. When I complete undergraduate studies, I plan to remain at Tuskegee University and enroll in the Master of Public Health program there. I hope to learn how to be an advocate for African American women with regards to their reproductive health. Women should not have to suffer gynecological problems alone. Oftentimes, the health concerns of African American women are given lower priority than those of Caucasian women. My education will provide the means for me to positively change health outcomes for African American women. College is an opportunity that I do not take for granted. I am grateful for all of my professors who have poured themselves into my education. I hope to one day show them that their efforts produced a cohesiveness that lifted up me and the lives of many others.

Horse Haven By Virginia Nicole Johnson When I got out of the car, I excitedly walked to the barn. It was my first day as a volunteer at Horse Have of Tennessee, and I was so excited. When I got to the barn, I saw the first horse. Her sides seemed to be stuck to her ribs. There was hardly any flesh, just skin and the outline of bones underneath. I cried. I learned that Horse Haven had just rescued over twenty horses and donkeys. Some of their hooves were so overgrown until their gait was affected. She was timid at first. I cleaned out her stall while talking to her and telling her about my day at school. I was not sure if she heard me. I was not sure if she cared. I left that day crying. The next week when I cleaned out her stall. She looked the same. Emaciated, sad, and lifeless eyes. I talked to her anyway. After several months, her sides began to show less of the ribs underneath, and her coat looked a little better. I kept talking to her. Finally, after quite a while, she would raise her head when I talked to her. When I walked her, her steps seemed stronger. She was going to make it. I cried again, but they were tears full of happiness for Hope. Volunteering to take care of abused horses has the ability to bring out the best in both the horse and the caretaker. Taking care of Hope stoked fires of determination to do everything in my power to show her that not all humans are abusive. Showing her gentleness and kindness caused her to regain her trust in humans. Resilience rose up in both me and Hope. She would make it. She would be adoptable, and I would help her. Volunteer service has taught me that helping others whether human or equine benefits everyone. A helping hand to scratch that spot just between the ears or to clean out a dirty stall is beneficial to both horse and human. If we give back just a fraction of what we have been given so many people and animals may have better lives. Donating coats, toiletries, and food to homeless people is an act of kindness. Donating dog and cat food to the homeless whose pets are often their only family is an act of kindness. Spending time that we are given to sit with a friend who is in the hospital so parents can go home and shower, is an act of kindness. Volunteering causes me to focus on the needs of others, and when I do, my needs do not appear to be that pressing. Hope made it, and I will make sure that other horses who are rescued do too.

I will be 29 years old on my birthday. I am back in college to complete my undergraduate degree. I had a break in my education due to health problems. I had to have numerous surgeries which caused me to withdraw from school on several occasions. My last surgery was a success, so I am finally about to begin my senior year of college. I am currently a student at Tuskegee University where I am a biology and animal science major. I hope to continue research in biochemistry at Tuskegee and enter into the Master of Public Health program at the University. My academic history began with me being homeschooled until high school graduation in 2013. I was homeschooled so that I could delve deep into animal sciences. Homeschooling allowed me to conduct student research on North American River otters at the Knoxville Zoological Gardens where I also served as an animal handler for Bird Shows. My academic journey included equine studies with Horse Haven of East Tennessee, and I worked as a student apprentice for Asheville Highway Animal Hospital. The first college that I attended was Sweet Briar in the state of Virginia. I had to withdraw due to health problems. I was awarded a full scholarship to Tuskegee University where I enrolled in 2014. I was also selected to participate in Michigan State University’s Vetward Bound program. I had surgery twice the following year and had to withdraw. I resumed my studies in 2016. I was in a pre-veterinary program at Tuskegee, and I was accepted early into Ohio State University’s Veterinary School for Fall 2017. My health issues returned, and I had to withdraw from veterinary school in 2018. I returned home to heal from surgery and undergo physical therapy. I am healthy now and about to begin my senior year at Tuskegee. My academic journey has been challenging, and I have learned a lot along the way. My own health challenges have led me to consider enrolling in the Masters of Public Health program at Tuskegee. I know first-hand of the health challenges that African American women face. Medical malpractice led to many of my health issues. I hope to bridge the gap for African American women like me who are often marginalized when it comes to adequate healthcare. Access to outstanding healthcare is a right that all women deserve regardless of their race or economic status. Educating these women and advocating for them is my goal. I am currently active in biochemical research at Tuskegee, and I plan to train in pharmaceutical research as well. I want to give women the positive health outcomes that they deserve.

My favorite tech invention is called Hinge Health. It is an at-home physical therapy program that uses sensors and telehealth to help patients relieve joint problems without having to leave their homes. So many patients who have joint problems must often travel to weekly physical therapy appointments. This is a time-consuming problem. With Hinge Health, patients can complete physical therapy in the comfort of their own homes at times that are convenient for them. Sensors are placed on the affected area of a patient’s body, and the patient performs prescribed movements under the direction of an online, telehealth physical therapist. Many employers offer Hinge Health as a free benefit for employees. Physical therapy has the potential of increasing range of motion and preventing costly surgery in many instances. Patients who have the option of using Hinge Health at home are more likely to complete all therapy sessions. This often allows them to be successful in improving the health of their joints. Telehealth in general is a great technology. It allows patients to see doctors and specialists without leaving their homes. This is a good benefit for the elderly and those who are unable to physically go to a doctor’s office. Hinge Health combines technology and telehealth. When patients enroll in the program, they answer questions about the area of their body which needs rehabilitation. Then, they are sent sensors that attach to their body and a computer tablet which allows them to virtually meet with their therapist. Hinge Health technology is my favorite tech invention because I have had to endure many rounds of conventional physical therapy for knee, back, and pelvic floor conditions. Trips to a physical therapy center get expensive, and they are time-consuming. Completing physical therapy under the supervision of a specialist at home is much more convenient. I hope to use my career as a biopharmaceutical researcher to improve the healthcare of women. I suffered from endometriosis for twelve years before having a hysterectomy. Many drugs were prescribed for me in an attempt to combat the condition. Several had adverse side effects. My research will combine new, safer drugs and robotic excision surgery to aggressively treat endometriosis. African American women often go un-diagnosed for endometriosis, and their concerns are marginalized when it comes to gynecological care. I hope to change that. I hope to be an advocate for women’s health and work to ensure that women are treated early and effectively for endometriosis. Their reproductive organs may be protected if newer drugs with few side effects are used.

Nothing in the Nursery By Virginia Nicole Johnson There is nothing in the nursery for me. There is nothing in the neonatal intensive care unit for me. There is no baby to bring home for me. There is nothing. I was forced to have a hysterectomy due to negligent health care. I was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of fifteen, and inadequate medical care resulted in me having to undergo the hysterectomy at the age of twenty-seven. Medical malpractice for marginalized African American women often results in negative health outcomes. I hope to use my degree to be an advocate for improving the healthcare of African American women especially, with regard to their reproductive health. When I complete my undergraduate studies at Tuskegee University, I plan to enroll in the Master of Public Health degree program at Tuskegee. I will learn how to effectively implement initiatives that will help these women. Endometriosis often goes undiagnosed in African American women. It is sometimes only discovered after irreparable damage is done to the women’s reproductive organs. Medical care for endometriosis specialists is often very costly and out-of-network for many. Local physicians may be unskilled in technologically advanced removal procedures for endometriosis tissue. Travel to out-of-state specialists can be costly. Post-operative stays in the town where the specialist practices may also be an obstacle for many African American women. For those women who are fortunate to already have children, childcare, while the mother is undergoing surgery, must also be addressed. Educating women about their rights and choices will empower them to take control of their health decisions. They will no longer be victims. Instead, they will be trailblazers. Their healthcare must encompass a wide variety of fields. Everything from mental health counseling, nutrition, physical therapy, exercise, pharmacy discounts, support groups, and a wide variety of medical specialties must be harnessed for these women. My experiences have caused me to have great empathy for women who suffer from inadequate healthcare. Although there is not a baby in the nursery for me, I plan to make sure that there are babies there for others. Superior public health for African American women is obtainable. African American women must be actively listened to when it comes to their health. We must not be pushed to the side and suffer due to racial stereotypes, bias, or due to negligence. We deserve to be heard, and I plan to be that voice.

Improving the health of African American women is what I want to do in the future once I complete my Master of Public Health degree at Tuskegee University. Black females are often marginalized when it comes to adequate health care. Medical inequalities continue to adversely affect women of color. As a teenager, I received inadequate medical care which resulted in me having to have a hysterectomy in 2018. My ability to have biological children was stripped from me. I plan to use my education and my life health experiences to protect the health of African American women. Attending an HBCU gives me a sense of pride and encouragement. I see doctors, professors, and classmates who look like me. There is a sense of unity, and I can learn in a peaceful environment. There is a stained-glass mural in the Tuskegee Chapel that depicts Black people pulling other Blacks up a staircase. That is exactly what Tuskegee does. Whether it is a biochemistry professor encouraging students to conduct amazing research or a cafeteria worker who knows just which piece of fried chicken to give a student, Tuskegee feels like home. I attended a PWI (predominately white institution), and the racial bias there was palpable. At Tuskegee, race is not an issue. Greatness is expected and encouraged. We laugh together, cry together, and together we are making a difference.

Pain Removal By Virginia Nicole Johnson The pain in my lower stomach caused me to double over. I broke out in a cold sweat. The pain was so intense that I could not speak. Walking was impossible. My father carried me to the car while my mother grabbed towels and a garbage can. My father drove as fast as possible to the emergency room. I tried my hardest not to pass out. After numerous scans and tests, the doctor suggested that something was going on with my female organs. He gave me intravenous fluids and pain medication and referred me to a gynecologist. After additional testing and a laparotomy, I was diagnosed with endometriosis. A painful condition in which endometrial tissue attaches to female reproductive organs rather than being eliminated from the body during monthly menstrual cycles. I underwent five surgeries until I found a specialist who removed my uterus and successfully removed all of the endometrial tissue. I was diagnosed at fifteen and had a hysterectomy at twenty-four years old. It was a long painful journey. I am interested in STEM because I want to use science and technology to improve the lives of African American women like me. We are often marginalized, and our health concerns often fall on deaf ears. Our race and gender are barriers to receiving equitable healthcare. In my own situation, I had to go out of state in order to find a physician who could perform the delicate surgery. He was skilled in excising endometriosis, and he was trained in robotic technology. He used the science of extracting my body’s own platelet-rich plasma to cover the internal surgery sites in order to speed healing. Women from all over the world and from across the United States come to him for excruciating pain relief. Once I complete undergraduate studies at Tuskegee University, I plan to enroll in the Master of Public Health program at Tuskegee. I want to use science and research to improve women’s health. Currently, I am conducting biochemistry research at Tuskegee. Science will help me find solutions to alleviate other people’s pain. Chemistry, biology, medical technology, pharmacology, and empathy will be used together to improve lives. African American women need advocates in order to get the healthcare that they deserve. Health education and accessibility to providers are obstacles that will be conquered. I will be an advocate. Pain will not win. I will be a pain remover.

Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever by Kareem Rosser is the book that I would like for everyone to read. It is the incredible story of how riding horses saved an African American boy’s life. Kareem is from a West Philadelphia neighborhood that is called “The Bottom” where life is not promising due to violence and drugs. Kareem and his brothers found horses in a barn and began a promising route to escape the horrors of home and their neighborhood. Lezlie Hiner, the barn’s owner, ran a program called Work to Ride. She offered free riding lessons to students in exchange for their care of the horses. It was at this barn where Kareem learned how to ride and how to become a great polo player. The horses and barn were like a lifeline for Kareem. He held onto that line and went on to lead his all-black team to a national polo championship, and later he led his college team at Colorado State University to a national polo championship as well. I would like everyone to read the book because it is an incredible story of hope against many obstacles. The book offers encouragement for the reader. Kareem faced tremendous odds, but he overcame them. At times, the obstacles seemed insurmountable, but he found ways to succeed. We, like him, can overcome obstacles in our lives no matter how massive they may seem. The book offers hope and generates inspiration.

Ride or Die By Virginia Nicole Johnson Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever by Kareem Rosser is the last book that I read. It is the incredible story of how riding horses saved an African American boy’s life. Kareem is from a West Philadelphia neighborhood that is called “The Bottom” where life is not promising due to violence and drugs. Kareem and his brothers found horses in a barn and began a promising route to escape the horrors of home and their neighborhood. Lezlie Hiner, the barn’s owner, ran a program called Work to Ride. She offered free riding lessons to students in exchange for their care of the horses. It was at this barn where Kareem learned how to ride and how to become a great polo player. The horses and barn were like a lifeline for Kareem. He held onto that line and went on to lead his all-black team to a national polo championship, and later he led his college team at Colorado State University to a national polo championship as well. My perspective has been positively impacted by Kareem’s story because I too ride horses, and I can empathize with his love for them. I volunteered with Horse Haven of East Tennessee where abused and neglected horses are rescued and nursed back to health. When the horses first arrive, many of them are sick, malnourished, and afraid of people. After many months of gentle love and care, these beautiful animals began to trust and flourish. I have experienced first-hand the amazing transformations that take place. Horses are also very sensitive to the emotions of the rider and groomer. The bond that develops is based off of mutual care and concern. I was able to barter services so that I too could take free riding lessons in both Western and English saddles. Now, I ride only occasionally, but I hope to one day own my own horses and stables. Reading helps me mentally by encouraging me with other people’s stories of success. I prefer biographies and autobiographies over fiction. I can read about other people’s lives and apply principles that worked for them into my own life. Hope rises in me when I read about all of the obstacles that Kareem faced. He had times when he doubted himself, but he pushed through those doubts and came out as a winner. Now, he is inspiring others to do the same. I, like Kareem, would rather ride than die. We, African American students, may not have all of the advantages that other students do at predominately White schools, but our HBCUs pour hope into us and encourage our grit to continue on, be successful, graduate, and then return and help others.

Hand in Hand By Virginia Nicole Johnson In the chapel at Tuskegee University in Alabama, there is a huge stained-glass window display called The Singing Window. It is magnificent. One of the pictures is of slaves climbing a staircase. In that picture, each slave is holding the hand of a slave climbing above while holding and pulling up the hand of a slave below. I want to be like that picture. I plan to hold the hands of those who need help being lifted up, especially African American females who receive inferior healthcare. As an African American female, I received poor medical care, and my healthcare concerns fell on deaf ears. I had to leave my home state in order to find physicians and surgeons who would actively listen to me. My healthcare was pushed aside. I endured two needless surgeries, and the trauma from all of it was unbearable at times. One surgeon in Atlanta changed all of that for me. He did not see color. He saw the physical pain that I was in. He saw the burns on my thighs from using a heating pad. He listened to me. He helped me, and I want to do that for other women. My educational journey has not been a straight one. Zigs and zags caused by surgery have led me on an interesting path. I am pursuing a STEM career in order to help African American women who are often marginalized in terms of receiving adequate medical care. I know from first-hand experience that our voices and concerns need to be heard and respected. We deserve the best from healthcare providers. I plan to complete my undergraduate studies at Tuskegee where I am majoring in animal science and minoring in chemistry. After undergraduate work, I plan to enroll in Tuskegee’s Master of Public Health program so that I can learn how to help my fellow sisters. I will use my knowledge and create resources to help them. I can relate to the healthcare struggles of others, and I plan to use all avenues possible to bring about positive change. The physical and mental health of African American women has been neglected for a long time. It is now time for that to change. We will not be pushed to the side while others go first. It is our turn. I plan to use my STEM degree to be an advocate for others, and to make sure that the best healthcare is made available to all who deserve it regardless of race and ethnicity. I will offer my hand, and together change will be made.

My legs hurt. Oh! Did they hurt bad! Then we saw the bruises. My mother’s face was unspeakably sad. He seemed so nice Until alcohol took his place. His hands were on me. He slapped me in the face. I was unconscious When they got me there. The tape from all the tubing Was stuck in my hair. The nurses and the doctors, They got me well. As for him, I hope he gets a lot of time In somebody’s miserable jail. Now, I am healing. I am a warrior You see. No amount of trauma, will ever defeat me. My ancestors are from a warrior tribe. I have that in my genes. I too will survive, Without becoming bitter and mean. I will laugh and play. I will run in the sun. I will work hard And get positive things done. So, the next time you lift your hands, To try to defeat me, Just look behind you mister, A strong warrior you will see.

Technology, such as MRI machines, that can help reveal medical problems is what inspires me. MRI technology can save the lives of many patients. It allows doctors to diagnose many health issues without exploratory surgery. Many areas of the human body can be looked at with MRI. It is helpful with orthopedic issues such as bone and joint problems. It can be used for a delicate organ like the brain. It can be used for internal organs like the stomach and intestines. It can also be used for heart and circulatory system problems. An MRI gives doctors clear images that may be useful in treating their patients. Healthcare is a field that interests me, and MRIs are invaluable. In the past, surgery may have been a patient’s only option, but today with MRI imaging, patients are often given less invasive options. An MRI could potentially save a patient from an unnecessary procedure. An MRI could save money and recovery time for patients. Technology makes the world a better place because it enhances people’s lives. With an MRI, instead of dangerous brain surgery, and MRI could rule out a troubling diagnosis. An MRI can help a surgeon who has to operate, locate a specific area of concern. X-Rays are great technology, but MRIs give much better detailed images. Medical technology is the branch of technology that most inspires me because it directly affects people. It can mean a positive outcome for those who need accurate testing and results. MRIs can and do save lives.

I selected Tuskegee University for my college education because I wanted instructors who looked like me and who understand the challenges that black students face in college and the world once they graduate. Tuskegee is like a second home to me. When I was in high school, I was mentored by four black veterinarians who graduated from the vet school at Tuskegee. They loved their experiences at Tuskegee so much that I decided to enroll in Tuskegee’s Vet Step summer program. I loved the program, and I accepted admission into the university. My professors have been simply amazing. Tuskegee does not feel like school to me. Instead, it feels like visiting with aunts, uncles and cousins. I have a sense of pride when I look at my professors and see how they have reached their goals. It encourages me that I can do the same. When I speak with them about the challenges that they faced, I am encouraged and my plans for my education are strengthened. My hometown is Knoxville, Tennessee, where I am a minority. The predominately white institutions in my hometown cannot give me the same learning experiences that I have been privileged to experience at Tuskegee. I also love the fact that I am attending college where the majority of the students look like me. We want to excel in our studies and efforts. We want to encourage those who follow behind us that they can make it too. At my HBCU, we are comfortable being ourselves. We do not have to look over our shoulders or try to conform to someone else’s idea of who we are. We are learning in an environment that pushes us to be our very best, and I will not let them down. I will succeed.

I began my senior year of college last August of 2022. I had just gottten settled into housing when I ran into an old friend from my sophomore year. He asked me out on a date which ended with me being assaulted and hospitalized. I was placed on a ventilator and had to undergo medical treatment. It was one of the hardest times of my life. All that I wanted to do was complete senior year and enter the master’s program. I had to overcome mental and health challenges due to the assault. I learned from the experience that violence towards me will not cause me to give up on my dreams. I learned that I have a warrior’s strength inside of me. I learned that there are complete strangers who are willing to help others survive and bring about justice. I learned that my family has broad shoulders and strong arms to hold me up during moments of weakness. Instead of evil winning, the assault showed me that there is good in the world. My resolve to complete my education is stronger than ever. I am encouraged by the acts of kindness that I have been the recipient of to continue on in my educational journey. Currently, I am continuing with therapy to help me with resiliency. Physically. I am strong and healthy. Physically therapy has allowed me to gain strength and control over my body. I also learned how the legal system works, and I learned how to prosecute my attacker and protect myself. I learned so much because of the attack. I am determined to complete my undergraduate degree requirements and go on to help others. I plan to specialize in public health and help women and children who lack adequate medical treatment. My experiences have increased the empathy that I feel toward those who are marginalized in society because of their race and gender. Science and chemistry are areas in which I excel, and I hope that through my research, I will be able to offer many healthcare solutions. I have learned to continue to have joy, hope and laugh every day. I am thankful for all of the good things in my life. I refuse to let the past prevent me from having a promising future. I refuse to be overcome with bitterness or fear. I have a warrior’s spirit. I will face my obstacles head-on, and I will be successful.

My mother is not a baker. She has a wonderful sense of humor, and she is not the best cook in the world. For family functions, our father or my sister and I make foods to bring. My mother gets assigned drinks or paper plates. She often gets involved doing things that she loves, and she forgets about timers. She also “estimates” amounts of ingredients for baking. Not one of her dishes turns out exactly the same each time that she makes it. I love this about my mother. Her laugh is quick, loud, and she makes us laugh as well. The poem that I have written, “Crumb Cake” describes one of her legendary cooking mistakes. My sister and I were in tears with laughter when she tried to “fix” that cake with icing. Each time she slathered on icing, a little bit of the cake crumbled. I laugh as I remember it. Life has not been easy for us, but she has a motto to “find 10 things”. She reminds us to find 10 things to be thankful for when we face trying times or obstacles. She is hopeful and full of faith. She turns our heads towards the good things. I hope that the poem will bring smiles to my readers’ faces. Laughter is good medicine for us. She will often poke on in the side when we do not expect it, and she will say “side poke”. She gets so tickled. Once, she forgot that my sister was recuperating from gall bladder surgery, and she poke her in the side. We still laugh about that today. My mother wants us to go thru like laughing and smiling. She chooses to focus on good things and exciting opportunities rather than focusing on negative things. She rarely meets a stranger, and she makes those that she comes in contact with feel heard, welcomed, and appreciated. I inherited the cooking gene from my father and grandfather. My mother must have received a recessive gene for cooking. She is great at so many other things, until her lack of cooking skills does not matter too much. She homeschooled both me and my sister, and we learned so much from her. She pours herself into our lives, and she is a great role model. I have learned to keep a joyful heart because of her, and I have learned to be thankful in all situations.

Warrior By Virginia Nicole Johnson This past August of 2022 was the beginning of my last year, my senior year of college. I was so excited and I was happily anticipating graduation until I was assaulted and hospitalized. I was placed on a ventilator. I am a warrior, and I refused to give up. I fought and was successfully taken off of the ventilator. I took steps to regain my strength physically, and I am still undergoing therapy for my mental health. The road has not been easy. I had to sit out fall semester while I healed, but I am ready to resume my studies and complete my degree. I refused to let the assault turn me into a bitter person. Instead, I find joy in just living, and I try to be a positive force for all who I come in contact with. I used my inner courage to identify and press charges against my attacker. Hopefully, he will never be given the opportunity to hurt anyone else. For me, I have taken positive steps of focusing on my career goals. Once, I complete this upcoming semester and the fall semester of 2023, I plan to enroll in a master’s program for public health at Tuskegee University. I want to work to improve the health of marginalized women. Lack of access to appropriate medical care can have devastating effects, and I want to ensure that as many women as possible have the care that they need. If their health is good, then they will have the strength to be bold and strong. I hope to inspire the women that I come in contact with to reach for their dreams, and to use their obstacles as stepping stones. The assault did not destroy me. I used the time that I had to take off from school to heal and to strengthen my mental resolve. When I got better, I reached out to my professors and advisors who encouraged me for continuing my educational journey. I have taken security measures, and I will reach my goals. I hope that my story will encourage women to keep going thru adversity. I want them to know that deep down inside they too are warriors. One step in a positive direction makes other steps possible. I would also like to say that I did not reach my positive outlook alone. I had the support of family, friends, teachers, doctors, nurses and therapists, and together we kept the warrior alive.

Quadratic Equations By Virginia Nicole Johnson I have always loved math because there is only one answer. Math is concrete. Math does not involve writing about a perspective on a topic. Math is correct or incorrect. I love the completeness of math. I was homeschooled during middle school and high school. I would challenge myself to complete m homework as fast as possible. My mother would tell me that there was no way possible that I had completed my assignments, but when she checked my work, it was complete. I would laugh when she gave me one of her puzzling looks. I smile when I look back at those days. My love for math followed me into college and into all of my science classes. Chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, and physics allow me to use my mathematical skills. As a female S.T.E.M. major, I especially find it rewarding to break stereotypical thinking with regards to minority females who excel in math. I hope to be an example to the young ladies that I mentor, and I hope to show them that all subjects are conquerable. Algebra, geometry, calculus, and advanced math stimulate the brain and makes us better thinkers. Math is not a subject to be afraid of. It is a subject to embrace, and to love.

My goal is to work in public health and improve the lives of people and animals. I hope to accomplish successful research that will prolong lives.

Animal science, biology, and chemistry are the three branches of science that I am studying. I love science because it helps me to understand how the human body and the bodies of animals operate. Science allows me to explore solutions to physical challenges that our bodies often face. Chemistry helps me to try different equations and reagents to get balanced equations which also offer solutions. I plan to continue with my education after undergraduate studies. I plan to focus on public health so that I can improve lives. Science helps to identify causes of disease and it often helps to discover cures for diseases as well. Clinical trials help to make sure that medications and vaccines are safe and effective for the general population. Participation in studies that could dramatically improve the health of others makes studying science exciting. Science offers hope, and I want to be that vessel of hope to others. Science also helps to improve the lives of animals. Clean pet food and safe vaccinations for animals is imperative for those of us who care for them. I have worked as a vet technician for several years, and I have witnessed the amazing results of horses, dogs, and cats whose lives were saved. Technology such as microscopes, medical analyzers, x-ray and MRI machines allow us to find causes for health problems. Scientific medical tests for parasites, blood counts and differentials, and blood chemistry levels allow doctors to pinpoint problems. Blood transfusions and surgical operations are all based on science, and many lives are prolonged due to transfusions and surgery to correct or to removed problems. Science allows us to safely offer positive solutions. Science helps pharmacists and chemists to make drugs such as antibiotics to fight infections and vaccines to prevent disease. Anatomy, a branch of science, offers an in-depth look at the bodies of humans and animals in order to study how they are structurally made and how they work. This knowledge gives scientists information on how to best treat bodies when illness or injury occur. Without scientific knowledge, our population would suffer. Science has many branches and studying science benefits us all. I hope to put my scientific knowledge to good use by improving the lives of others.

Eating healthy is a mandate for me. I had to have surgery to have my gallbladder removed last spring, and I have to eat healthy in order for my body to function properly. My stomach also empties slowly, so the foods that I am able to tolerate have to be full of nutrients. If I eat greasy, fast-foods, my stomach cramps and hurts badly. If I eat healthy, non-greasy and organic foods, my stomach works much better. Small frequent meals of healthy vegetables and fruits is the best option for me. Limited amounts of meat other than seafood works best for me. If I eat healthy, I have energy and stamina to get thru my days that are full of classes, lectures and work-study. I keep healthy snacks in my backpack and in my car to fuel my body in-between meals. I find that I am focused and strong when I eat healthy. Eating something every two hours helps to keep my blood sugar level stable and I do not have periods of crashing due to blood sugar levels dropping. I also have several food allergies, so I am vigilant to make sure that the foods that I eat do not contain allergens and that they are as pure as possible. I have had times of eating unhealthy in the past, but for me, it is worth it to eat healthy and avoid foods that contain empty calories so that I am at my best.

A Tribe By Virginia Nicole Johnson It took the support of a tribe to help me overcome my obstacle to make it to this, my senior year at Tuskegee University. I suffered from endometriosis from the age of fifteen until I had a total hysterectomy two years ago. As a freshman at Tuskegee, I had to take a two-month leave to undergo surgery in an attempt to remove endometriosis tissue. My professors at Tuskegee were incredible. I had a 3.8 GPA and I was able to work ahead in my classes, so that I would be in a strong academic position prior to surgery. Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller was my academic department chair and she worked endless with me in anatomy to help me complete my course work at an accelerated pace. My chemistry professor, Dr. Tourney helped me to maneuver my wheelchair around the classroom when I could not walk due to the pain. Dr. Bartlett, my poultry science professor was extremely helpful and gave me frequent talks that were very supportive and encouraging. My parents came to campus and transported me to classes and doctors’ appointments locally and out of state. My Harvey Hall dorm mother, Mrs. Williams regularly checked on me to make sure that I was doing alright. Meeka, my roommate, checked on me daily and helped me in so many ways. The cafeteria workers, security, and even fellow TU students assisted me numerous times, from gentlemen holding doors open, to ladies who would help me with my purse. The support that I received at Tuskegee alone pushed me to focus and reach my dream of graduating in the Spring of 2023. My church family also helped me tremendously. Members came to my home before surgery and prayed for me, brought dinner to the house for my family, and offered encouraging words. My recovery was speedy due to the support, encouragement and prayers that I received. My pastor and church family members visited me in the hospital and told stories of their own lives that took focus off of my pain. Their humor helped me to endure. I had to overcome the pain that goes with endometriosis and the fear and sadness that comes with a hysterectomy and the inability to have my own biological children. Support from my tribe of teachers, professors, family and church members, and even complete strangers let me know that I can make it with all of their help. The strength that my health obstacle caused me to develop has enabled me to reach out to others, and it has developed in me a deep sensitivity to health challenges of others. That it why I have chosen animal science with a chemistry minor for my focus at Tuskegee. I also plan to enroll in the Masters of Public Health Program at Tuskegee once I complete my undergraduate degree, so that I will be able to help others who have health challenges.

TU, You Know! Tuskegee University is my HBCU. I am Virginia Nicole Johnson, and I am from Knoxville, Tennessee where the colleges in my hometown cater to students who look very different from me. Tuskegee, on the other hand, is like visiting family and friends, and the majority at Tuskegee, look like me. It is a comfortable environment where doctors and professors who look like me, encourage and expect me to excel. I found out about Tuskegee because of my pets. I applied for a summer program at a local college, but was denied admission. We took our dog to the vet and was talking about the situation to our vet and he offered me admission into his practice’s mentoring program. That summer, I was able to assist in surgery, exams, dentals, front clinic assignments and kennel work. I loved it! The clinic is owned and run by four Tuskegee Veterinary School graduates who also offer internships to current Tuskegee students. The experience of working with them, laughing, and listening to our music while we worked, changed my life. I too wanted to go to Tuskegee. The following summer, I applied to Tuskegee’s Vet Step Program for high school students, and I was accepted into the program. Once on campus, I met and studied with students who looked like me. In Knoxville, I was in the minority, but at Tuskegee, I was part of the majority for the first time in my life. We laughed, studied and learned in a relaxed environment. At the end of the program, I was offered admission into Tuskegee, and I accepted it. Seeing like-minded classmates, and professors who were brilliant caused me to finish high school strong with a mind-set that I can achieve great things too. Education has contributed to my life by letting me know that I have to get a degree and into a master’s degree program for public health in order to succeed in a world where degrees are mandatory in order to survive financially. I hope to follow in the vet’s footsteps and complete vet school as well after I finish my undergraduate and master’s degree programs. My family background as affected the way that I see the world positively. My parents both work two jobs to support me and my sister. If our schools did not offer programs to enrich our learning experiences or our interests, they actively sought out programs, such as The Knoxville Zoo’s Youth Volunteer Program, Horse Haven’s Volunteer Program, and the Asheville Highway Animal Hospital’s Mentoring Program for me to support my interests in animal studies. My family has been so supportive. The word can’t is not acceptable. I am encouraged to try and to look for Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, and even Plan D if I run into obstacles. I was taught that hard work and endurance will help me to succeed. My family has also taught me that I can do whatever I set my mind to. I was able to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama when then President Obama and First-Lady Michelle Obama visited for the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March. I also got to watch Michelle Obama deliver the commencement address at Tuskegee when I good friend and mentor of mine graduated from vet school at Tuskegee. Being in such a supportive and compassionate environment has caused me to thrive and to encourage others to be the best that they can. Tuskegee is the best for me from the band marching in for home games, to homecoming, to Greek probates, to fried chicken in the cafeteria on Wednesdays. I love Tuskegee. TU! You know!

Four Black Veterinarians By Virginia Nicole Johnson I was inspired to attend Tuskegee University by four amazing, black veterinarians, Dr. Joseph Kendrick, his son, Dr. Ricardo Kendrick, daughter-in-law, Dr. Richela West Kendrick, and Dr. Lori Baxter. All four attended Tuskegee University’s Veterinary School, and their love for the school propelled me to attend a summer Vet Tech Program for high school students at the school. Once on campus, I immediately knew that Tuskegee was the place for me. The unwavering support of my professors and staff during that summer made me feel like I was at home or visiting relatives. It was my first-time seeing college professors who looked like me, and who could relate to the struggles that black students face and overcome. Once, I enrolled at Tuskegee, my choice of an HBCU was further verified. Tuskegee is located in Alabama, and it is not too far from Selma, Alabama. I was at Tuskegee when then President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama came to Selma for the historic fiftieth-anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery during the Civil Rights Movement. I was able to attend the event, and it was life changing. Events that I had read about took on a personal meaning as we crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. So many warriors have paved the way for me, so I have to walk I their footsteps and do the same. Social justice for me means accountability. Those who violate our rights as African Americans, should face the stiffest sentences. The color of our skin should not be an access for abuse by those who misuse their power and position. That is why I am actively volunteering and pouring positivity into the high school students that I mentor at my church. I tell them about my experiences at an HBCU, and we bring the students to visit various HBCUs during the summer in hopes of encouraging them to attend college at places where there are those who look like them from the president on down to secretaries. It offers hope and promise that they too can succeed. I love Tuskegee, and I would not trade going to a HBCU for anything. Football games under the “shed”, homecoming parades and good food, block parties, sorority and fraternity lines, the band, and even the goats at the goat farm make my school special. I am so glad that I came to Tuskegee, and I am so proud that it has the only black vet school in the country. My four vets turned out amazing, and I will too. Go TU! TU, U Know!!

I deserve this scholarship because I have overcome many health challenges to return to college and complete my senior year of undergraduate studies. My determination makes me a good candidate for the scholarship. My academic goal is to enter into Tuskegee University’s Master of Public Health program and to use my education to help improve the lives of women who suffer from endometriosis. The major obstacle that I have overcome is endometriosis. I had to have a complete hysterectomy, but I refused to let my health challenges prevent me from returning to college, and completing my education.

No Children Allowed By: Virginia Johnson I will never be able to have biological children, and that fact hurts. It hurts so much, but not nearly as much as the medical malpractice that resulted in me undergoing two needless surgeries. At the age of twenty-seven, I had a total hysterectomy due to endometriosis. As an African American female, I underwent inadequate medical treatment for years for the endometriosis, until my family found an out-of-state specialist who was able to help me. My pleas for help fell onto deaf ears because of my gender and ethnicity, but I was able to overcome my medical obstacles, and I plan to complete my undergraduate degree at Tuskegee University and enter into the Master of Public Health program there. Tuskegee is famous for the horrible syphilis experiment that poor black farmers were subjected to from 1932 to 1972. African Americans often receive inadequate health care, and I know from my own experience that we need advocates to help us navigate thru medical fields. I hope to truly make a difference in the lives of the people and animals that I will be able to help once I obtain my Master’s degree. I have also had to overcome challenges associated with anxiety and depression due to my journey with endometriosis. The pain was so intense until I grew depressed and lost hope that anyone would be able to help me. I suffered from anxiety and fear that my voice would not be heard. I was accepted into vet school early while a college junior, but I had to withdraw due to surgeries and health problems. I have had to overcome the stigma of withdrawing and going back to complete my senior year of undergrad studies. I used this change to steer me towards helping others. African American females with endometriosis are often misdiagnosed, and effective treatment is often delayed. Vital reproductive organs of these females are often damaged beyond repair and infertility results. I want to use my education and my personal experiences to help these females. I hope to bring an awareness of endometriosis to my African American sisters and offer them help and relief so that they do not suffer needlessly. I also want to give back by one day adopting children and giving them hope that someone loves them and believes in them. I hope to instill in my children that they are valuable and that they have a lot to offer and give back to others, and I hope that one day, for African American women like me, children will be allowed.

Nuts, Dairy and Beef…Oh My! By: Virginia Nicole Johnson After I ate the muffin, my throat started itching. Then I began coughing. My neck started itching, and then my throat felt like it was trying to close. I got my mother, and we rushed to the car, and she began driving me to the emergency room. In the car, the coughing began to get a lot worse, so I rambled thru my purse and grabbed my Epi-Pen. My mother could not do it, so I had to jab my thigh, thru my jeans, with the Epi-Pen. We arrived at the emergency room, and they immediately took me back to an exam room. My mother told them what I had eaten, and they started a line and began giving me intravenous Benadryl, Pepcid, and a steroid, the allergic reaction cocktail. Eventually, the coughing stopped, and my throat remained open. I was discharged after they made sure my heart rate came down since the Epi-Pen has epinephrine in it which speed up the heart rate. This has happened before. I suffer from food, medication, and seasonal allergies. The package that the muffin came in said that it could contain nuts, and evidently it did. My life has been impacted by my food allergies in many ways. I have to carefully read packages that food comes in. I have to be very careful when ordering at restaurants, and I have to use allergen free microwaves and personal care products like shampoo and body washes. Beef and dairy products cannot be ingested. When I attend family gatherings or social events that involve food, I have to choose vegan and nut-free options. My allergies have impacted me positively because the allergies have caused me to be creative and sensitive to others who also have allergies. I have become a pretty amazing cook since it is often easier to prepare my own meals rather than risk being exposed to an allergen. I have learned to shop at stores that specialize in allergy-free products, and I have been able to avoid having to use the Epi-Pen. This scholarship would assist me in reaching my ultimate goal of obtaining my Masters of Public Health degree by helping to offset tuition costs. This upcoming fall, I will be returning to Tuskegee University to complete my undergraduate degree in biology and animal science. I will be a senior, and I will graduate in May of 2023. I plan to help animals and humans by completing research that will benefit them both. My own health challenges have filled me with empathy for others who also suffer from allergies. Even pets who are often sensitive to ingredients in their foods. I hope to one day make a difference in the lives of others whether they are 2-legged or our 4-legged friends.

Stomach acids rolled out of the dog’s stomach, onto the table, and dripped down my leg onto my shoes. I did not flinch, and I held the clamp in place while Dr. Rick completed the surgery. I was sixteen years old, and Dr. Rick, my hero, had just allowed me to assist with surgery. I am currently a first-year veterinary school student at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine. I am in vet school because of the love, encouragement and hands-on-teaching that Dr. Ricardo Kendrick provided for me at his animal hospital, Asheville Highway Animal Hospital. Dr. Rick selected me to be in his hospital’s Future Vet Mentoring Program when I was fifteen years old. He allowed to me learn about operating an animal hospital. I was given the opportunity to learn everything from how the front desk clerks function, to exam rooms, kennel duties, radiology, grooming, dentals, surgery, euthanasia, and client relationships and support. After completing the mentoring program, Dr. Rick hired me to work as a veterinary technician. I worked for him while I was in undergraduate school and during summer breaks. He helped me financially while also teaching me all aspects of being a veterinarian. During exams, Dr. Rick is not only concerned about the animals. He is also concerned about the owners. He shows kindness and consideration towards the clients. Oftentimes, the owners are extremely worried about their pets. Dr. Rick listens to their concerns and explains in detail his findings and treatment options. He even offers payment plans for owners facing unexpected expenses. Once a year, he has a community fall festival to thank his clients. The hospital has free food and drinks, free nail trims for pets, and prizes for pets and their human owners. There are games, music and lots of laughter. The festival is his way of thanking the community for their support of his business. I learned so much from Dr. Rick. He encouraged me to never give up on my dream of becoming a vet. He wrote numerous reference letters for me, helped me with homework assignments, and he laughed and even cried with me. Dr. Rick has so much empathy and concern. He also has an incredible sense of humor. I would not be where I am today without his help. Dr. Rick is the best. I have decided that he will be the person to present me with my official doctor’s coat at my White Coat Ceremony. The ceremony is a special occasion in a vet school student’s journey, and the person who has most influenced the student is given the opportunity to be recognized by helping the student into their white coat. I am so thankful for Dr. Rick, and I hope to one day put into practice all that he has and is helping me to learn. He is the best!

Slice, Sautee and Sizzle By: Virginia Nicole Johnson Cooking is what makes me happy. When I slice vegetables and sauté them in butter or extra virgin olive oil and when they begin to sizzle in the pan, I am very happy because I know that I am about to prepare an awesome meal. When I am cooking, I forget about everything that may be troubling to me, and instead I focus on cooking. Mentally, I have to make sure to measure the correct ingredients so that the food turns out as planned. The greatest joy that I get from cooking is sharing delicious meals with my family and friends. I make them happy as well. When we sit down to eat a meal that I prepared, we have time to come together, talk, and share events from our lives. It is a great feeling to laugh over food with family and friends. Cooking is what makes me the happiest.

I practice self-care by getting my fingernails done at a salon and by cooking meals for my friends. I love to get manicures, and I love to talk to the technicians at the salon. Looking at my nails when they are finished gives me a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment. It is one way that I pamper myself after a long week of classes and labs. Another way that I practice self-care is by preparing home-cooked meals for my friends and for my classmates. I am a first-year vet school student, and my schedule and that of my classmates is challenging. A lot of my friends are from out of state, and there is not an opportunity for a home-cooked meal. I am a Knoxville native, and live at home, so I love to cook dinner for my friends. Healthy home-cooked meals instead of fast food is one way that I practice self-care, and it gives me an opportunity to sit down and visit with my friends over a good meal. The impact of both going to the salon for manicures, and cooking is that I have a chance to relax and to focus on others. Conversations at the nail salon are usually over an assortment of topics, and dinner with my friends and classmates gives us a chance to focus on fun things, and it gives us the confidence that together we can face our challenges in the classroom and in the lab.

Empower women by looking past our brown skin tones and recognize our education, potential and our talent. I am an African-American first year vet school student, and my journey to get where I am now has not been easy. The first thing that people notice is my skin color and ethnicity. My education does not matter to some because they cannot get past my race nor my gender. They refuse to recognize my talent and my potential. Society can empower women and encourage women by actively recruiting, training, and safe-guarding opportunities for women. In education, institutions can offer scholarships, tenured teaching position, and educational incentives for women to gain the education and experience needed in order to be competitive with males. Women should be offered educational scholarships and grants so that they can attend school without concerns of how they can further their education while taking care of children or other family members on an already thinly stretched budget. If educational expenses are taken care of, this would free up funds for women to further themselves or obtain higher education. Society can empower women also by recognizing our potential. Women are often “talked-over” in classrooms, company meetings and in everyday conversations. If a man is speaking, courtesy is extended, and he is usually not interrupted. Women, however, are often interrupted while speaking, and their ideas are not accepted. Sometimes, women’s ideas are “stolen”. Our potential to voice good ideas and effective strategies and problem solving go unheard, while a man’s ideas are applauded. Women have the potential for greatness. Just because we are women, and especially women of color, does not mean we should clean the lab after class, scrub the breakroom at work, nor clean the toilets. We are capable of designing anatomy labs, running our own businesses and hiring a proficient cleaning team to clean for us. Society must recognize our potential and give us an opportunity to do great things. And finally, society can empower us by utilizing our talent. I have been gifted with small hands and fingers that are perfect for surgery on animals. I plan to use this gift to heal the many animals that will come my way as a veterinarian. I volunteered at an animal hospital for ten years, and my talent was recognized and given many growth opportunities there. I also volunteered at Horse Haven of Tennessee where I had the humble privilege to care for sick and abused horses. The Knoxville Zoo is another place where my talent was encouraged and I was empowered to share my talent with the zoo’s guests. Women thrive when their talent is recognized and promoted. Society must look past our skin color and appreciate women, especially women of color, for who we are. Society’s gate keepers in education and business must move aside. Sexism and racism hurt us all. Society must stop stereotyping women and include us in plans that affect us all. I remain positive and hopeful that society will change, but even if it does not or if it is slow, I plan to move forward. If I can keep a positive outlook and appreciate my self-worth and that of fellow females, without a man’s approval, then together we will be a formidable force.

Calvin and Hobbes is the comic strip that has impacted me the most. It brings a smile to my face and joy and laughter into my life. I am a vet school student, and during classes and studying at night, I am focused, dedicated and determined. Reading Calvin and Hobbes gives me a mental break from the intensive work as a vet school student. I can laugh at their adventures, and I appreciate the fact that Hobbes is an animal. If only my patients were that funny! The light-heartedness of the comic is wonderful!

“Find the good and praise it.”- Alex Haley Life for me has been challenging due to many health issues and multiple surgeries, but Alex Haley’s quote as sustained me thru many adversities. I was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of fifteen after undergoing a surgical procedure called a laparotomy. This was the first surgery. I ended up having a total of four laparotomies, a partial hysterectomy and finally a total hysterectomy at the age of twenty-four. I can never have biological children. Throughout my painful, nine-year battle with endometriosis, I had good days and days that were unbearable. Alex Haley’s quote carried me thru very difficult days. Although, I may never have biological children, I know that there are many children who need love and good homes thru adoption or foster care. I plan to offer love and hope for children in need. Good things will result from my hysterectomy. I looked to find good things in many situations. The nurse who smiled and gave me ginger-ale; the kind chaplain who gave my mother a meal ticket; the housekeepers who loved to just come visit my room and pet my service dog, Taffy; the parking lot attendants who smiled; ambulance drivers who safely drove us thru narrow construction zones; and the doctors who used their skills to remove the painful endometriosis adhesions. The list goes on and on. All I had to do on my darkest days, was to just look. All that I had to do was search and goodness was there. There is good and there is healing and hope when we celebrate the good and are thankful for it. I continue to live by the quote,and I will continue to praise good things every day.

I will be the first member of my family to become a doctor. I will become a veterinarian in four years. I am about to enter my first year of vet school, and I am excited to begin learning how to care for animals. I attended Tuskegee University for undergraduate studies and was accepted early into vet school. Going to Tuskegee with fellow African American students was like going to college with family. We shared experiences from our lives away from the university and found that our ethnicity was often viewed by some as inferior. It was freeing to attend college there and to see professors and staff who looked like us, who were well educated, and who would prepare us for “the outside world”. I was hired and trained by four African American veterinarians during high school and during undergraduate summers. Three of the vets own the clinic, and they gave me the opportunity to learn as much as possible, and to see that I can be successful and make a difference in the lives of animals. Often, the clients were African American with limited income, but the vets worked out payment arrangements for them so that their pets would receive the same care as other pets received. I also learned to give back from my work at the clinic. Once a year, they have a festival. They give away free food and drinks, free nail trims for pets, and prizes for all who attend. They support the community and appreciate their clients. I hope to do the same. Neither of my parents have college degrees, and often-times we have had to seek more than one doctor because of misdiagnosis of illnesses, and lack of adequate care in our hometown. Some offices do not allow one to see a different doctor if a patient needs care from someone other than the primary care physician in the group. Our family does not have the means to see top-notched physicians. We do the best that we can to stay healthy. That, should not be the case. Regardless of our skin color, inside we are just like everybody else. We deserve good healthcare too. Dental care, vision care, and preventive care should be readily available to all, and competent medical providers should ethically do their best to care for their patients the same way as they would like to be cared for. Although, I will be a veterinarian and specialize in radiology, please consider me for the scholarship. My textbooks alone are very expensive. I will not let any obstacle prevent me from reaching my goal. I will become a veterinarian, and I will help animals and their owners.

I met him online in February of 2020, and by March 7, we were married. He seemed loving at first, but by May, he drastically changed. Horrified, I found out that he was an alcoholic and he abused drugs. Then, he began abusing me. In June, I left him for two weeks, but his promises to change persuaded me to come back. This time however, he tried to kill me. He beat me, raped me and abused my cat, and he beat my service dog. In October, I filed for a divorce, and now, I am free. My ex-husband beat me, but he was unable to destroy my desire to become a veterinarian. I want to make a positive impact on the world by becoming a veterinarian and providing care for our pets and animals who give unconditional love to their owners. My dog, Taffy was recued from a goat farm in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her mother, Marley, was a purebred Great Pyrenees who was impregnated by a stray dog. Marley was the goat farm’s herding and guard dog. Taffy and her five brothers and sisters were deemed “unsuitable” because they were a mixed breed. I saved Taffy and she later underwent training to become my service dog. I rescued her, and now she is helping me. She has flown with me and is my constant companion. She even attends class with me and enjoys sharing lunch breaks with our classmates. Taffy has been with me thru both good and bad times. She was with me thru the abuse and brief marriage and I was able to examine her for injuries and relay to her vet what happened to Taffy from my ex-husband’s abuse. I am currently a first-year veterinary school student. I have worked at a veterinary hospital as a veterinary technician, and I have seen the joy that healthy pets bring to their owners, and I have also seen the concern on the owners’ faces when their pets are ill. As a vet, I will do everything possible to help my clients care for their pets and give them the peace of mind that they are being treated by the most competent medical professional possible. My faith inspires me to keep going every day. I know that God is always watching out for me, and I trust that His plans for me are always working things out for my good. Alex Haley’s quote, “Find the good and praise it.” Helps me to remain positive and focus on the good in all situations.

My experience with mental health challenges began with panic attacks in college. I did not get an “A” on an exam, and I thought I was a failure. I could not breathe, and I began to shake uncontrollably. I was prescribed medications, but my family was suspicious of me taking them. We are African American. I had many physical challenges and surgeries as well which led to an increase in anxiety from unrelenting physical pain that occurred pre and post- surgery. Eventually, I had to temporarily withdraw from college to undergo surgery. The surgery was for a hysterectomy which would leave me physically unable to have children. My right ovary was left to provide an egg source for a future surrogacy. I was devastated. The pain and anxiety led to the development of non-epileptic seizures. Before the diagnosis of P.N.E.S. (Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures), I had to endure countless laboratory blood tests, EEG’s, MRI’s of my brain, and CAT Scans. I was also misdiagnosed, prescribed wrong medications, and even intubated in an intensive care unit which was totally unnecessary. After the correct diagnosis, group and individual therapy, I was able to properly address the anxiety, P.N.E.S. triggers, and even a P.T.S.D. diagnosis. My family was educated as well by attending family sessions and training events, and they became an unrelenting support system and my healthcare and mental healthcare advocates. The cultural stigma of an African American female with mental health challenges was cast down in my family. Together, we found therapists, psychiatrists, physicians, neurologists, and EMDR specialists who formed a team to help me. I was given daily medication to help and now, I am able to continue in veterinary school and reach my goal of becoming a veterinarian. My experiences with mental health shaped me into an individual who reaches out for help. I actively searched for help to assist me with my challenges. My experiences with individuals in group therapy have led me to understand that there are many others from different backgrounds who suffer from mental health challenges, but together we can share our voices and hope that our futures are made brighter by our combined efforts to stomp down stigma and lift up a banner of hope and unity!

Kash Money By: Virginia Nicole Johnson Kash Money was my chinchilla. He was the color of charcoal that burns at the perfect temperature for grilling. He was two years old and had incredibly soft fur. On Christmas Eve 2019, Kash began making struggling sounds to breathe, and he collapsed. I rushed him to the University of Tennessee’s Veterinary Hospital, but they were unable to resuscitate him. Kash Money died. I am Virginia Nicole Johnson, and I will be entering vet school this fall at the University of Tennessee. I hope to become a veterinarian and save animals. I have always loved animals. I began my training as a researcher and volunteer for the Knoxville Zoo. I completed extensive research for the zoo’s North American River Otters. I also performed animal husbandry and animal handling for Bird Shows at the zoo. I also volunteered and provided care for abused equine, horses and donkeys, at Horse Haven of Tennessee. I was able to learn about the physical effects of abuse on these beautiful animals. I completed clinical training and private animal hospital practice at Asheville Highway Animal Hospital. At the animal hospital, I worked as a vet technician. I assisted with exams, radiology, surgery, vaccines, dentals, grooming and clerical procedures. I have experience in several areas of animal care, but I lack funding, other than student loans, to attend vet school. Textbooks alone cost several thousand dollars, and computer anatomy programs are expensive as well. I need the scholarship to cover the costs of my textbooks. There is also an upcoming summer vet school anatomy refresher course that I would like to enroll in, but it alone is eight hundred dollars. All scholarship funds would really be appreciated, and the scholarship would ensure that I will be able to help many animals like Kash Money.

Hooves By: Virginia Nicole Johnson The donkeys’ hooves were so overgrown until they looked like Captain Hook’s hook. They could barely move. Their coats were matted and dirty. What touched me the most was the sad look in their eyes. I am Virginia Nicole Johnson, and I am starting my first year as a vet school student. I love animals and their health and well-being are my passions. The donkeys that I described above were a part of an animal rescue by Horse Haven of Tennessee. Several abused donkeys and horses were saved, rehabilitated and eventually adopted by loving people. Abuse claimed the lives of a few of the animals, but many were saved. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. I began my journey by attending Tuskegee University in Alabama on a full academic scholarship. At Tuskegee, I majored in Animal Science, and performed research on poultry and goats. After three years of undergraduate studies, I was accepted early into vet school at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Health challenges and several surgeries caused me to withdraw, but I never lost my passion to be a voice for animals. I applied to the University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine and was accepted into their program. I am excited to begin my journey towards my goal to help animals. As a high school student, I completed a behavioral research study on North American River Otters for the Knoxville Zoo. At the Knoxville Zoo, I also performed animal husbandry, worked at Bird Show, educated guests with animal handling, and worked at zoo camp. I enjoy educating others about animals and the experiences that I gained at the zoo enriched my knowledge of many aspects of zoology. I also have worked as a vet tech for Asheville Highway Animal Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. At the animal hospital, I assisted physicians with exams, vaccines, radiology, laboratory testing, surgeries, dentals, grooming, boarding, billing, ordering supplies, and front desk clerical duties. This position has given me invaluable hands-on experience, and skills to make me a competent physician. I have seen the positive effects on animals when a disease or condition is discovered early, and I have seen the relief on the animals’ owners faces when they hear that their beloved pet is going to make it. Unfortunately, I have also seen negative outcomes. I have witnessed negative outcomes such as when an owner waits “too late” to bring in a sick animal. I have also witnessed euthanasia. My hope as a vet, is to encourage my clients to bring in the pets for regular exams, and to educate my clients on proper diets and exercise for their pets in order to extend their lives, and for them to have an excellent quality of life. The pets bring so much joy for their owners and I hope to have many positive outcomes. Client education is also an area that I hope to improve for my clients. I am passionate about animals, and I will one day be a veterinarian and take excellent care of them.