First Gen Stories

Prosecutor for King County in Seattle, Washington

How did your family’s experience as immigrants inspired you?

“If you wanted us to study so much why didn’t you study?” My father paused sadly, trying to formulate an answer, “Well … well, because in Mexico I was very poor and I didn’t have enough money to study.

I recognized in my father’s response the voice of nostalgia for lost dreams. The unrealized dreams of a man who sacrificed whatever dreams he had to give his children better opportunities. The nostalgia of being a victim of their circumstances.

I was a teenager when the desire to become an attorney was planted in my heart by my father. It was the ardent dream to help those less fortunate than I which sustained me and carried me through minor and major setbacks.

Harvard Graduate and Host of How to College First Gen podcast

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Personally, the happiest day of my life was when I graduated from Harvard and received the Barbara Jordan Award for Women’s Leadership. I was able to bring my mother on stage and give her the award since I learned everything about leadership from her. She had people from all over the world applaud her courage and determination for being an undocumented woman who put her dreams aside to give me an actual opportunity to not only survive but thrive.

Professionally, through all of my educational work, I think I have supported directly and indirectly over 6000+ students in their educational journey. The newly created podcast provides us with a platform that is greater than we ever imagined. People from all over the world tune in every Saturday to listen to other first gen students, their struggles, their happy movements, and how they are all doing their best to make it work. It brings me so much happiness to know that my team and I continue the great work of democratizing information and making sure that people don’t feel like they are alone in their journey of becoming the first ones in their families to attend college.

@Corporateperolatina an aspiring Latina trailblazer in corporate America!

What are your future goals?

To bridge the gap between what I learned from my mother and father. I want to succeed as a Latina professional without feeling the need to assimilate to another culture. I want to create a good life for myself so that I don’t live my life struggling to make ends meet but also realizing that money isn’t everything. I definitely want to be a strong presence in any corporate room/office/event where Latinxs need more representation in.

CPA and Founder of Financial Roots

How did your family’s experience as immigrants impact you?

Growing up as part of a mixed status family taught me that when given the resources and support, we all have so much to offer and contribute to this country and our communities, regardless of our immigration status. My parents showed me how perseverance and sacrifice can lead to success.