From Mother to Daughter
Maria Gomez has another source of pride in her life: her daughter.
“She just turn 18, and she has no interest whatsoever in boys right now, she’s just like her grandmother.”
Maria describes her daughter as driven.
“She driven not in a crazy way, but she said, ‘You and Dad pay too much tuition at this school, I’m gonna take advantage of everything and anything at this school.’ She just [started] talking to all kinds of people. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t talk to a lot of people at the schools, like I didn’t take advantage of the benefit like counselor... She got a job working for Congressman Harken this summer all on her own, making use of all of her connections, even at this young age.
Maria’s daughter, now a freshman at the University of Michigan, decided to go out of state to pursue a degree in biology, and get a new perspective along the way.
.“There’s that balance with how much you give your children, and how much you make them understand that’s it’s about the struggle, and that it’s not hand-me-down stuff,” says Maria. “She [her daughter] went to Michigan and she told me how all the minor jobs [there] are done by white people, and she said “It gives me a different perspective of the world.”
Like her grandmother and mother, Maria’s daughter also feels the call to action.
“She’s very interested in education, she’s very frustrated by the fact that her community, her Latino community, that she sees herself, that there’s still many gains to be made. “She [would] be like, ‘Mommy I’m so privileged to have the opportunity [pursue education].’”
“You have to have humility to be inspired,” says Maria. “And that doesn’t mean you can’t be proud, because sometimes I feel like, especially in this country, humility is interpreted as ‘soft stuff.’ Being humble allows you to listen deeply, behind the word, behind the people.”
A Call to Other Women
Maria’s call to other woman comes to a full circle, as she talks about her personal life experiences, and the lessons learned along the way.
“We really, as women, have to get to know each other, get to know ourselves well, and have to question ourselves: what do we stand for, what value do we have for ourselves, and what value do we have to impart for our families in the community. Because it is by doing that we make a difference rather than by preaching.”
Now It's Your Turn: Tell Us Your Story of Inspiration
Impact.. . . in a word... you can help impact women all over the world by sharing your story, and that of a woman who inspired you. A tiny butterfly flaps her wings and the whole world changes. Your story lifts our story and impacts thousands across our planet. They get inspired! They take action!
We would like to know your story of inspiration. How did you get inspired? Who inspired you? What action did you take? We need your help in sharing the stories of inspirational women worldwide.
Our ASK of You as you tell us your story:
- Authentic, creative and short (not more than 1500 words)
- Share what you believe is important for the world to know
- Knowledge transfer focus- highlight the impact on you and others