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How do you define diversity?
I believe that diversity is expecting and creating space for individuals who experiences are different than that of the majority. It’s important to understand that diversity is intersectional - it includes race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, political affiliation, socioeconomic status, education level and a number of other factors.
How do you define inclusion?
Many times, we define inclusion as tolerance – that is to say that you accept someone’s existence and tolerate it. However, inclusion needs to be taken farther than that. Inclusion is to give space – a platform and the amplification of voices – to those who might otherwise not be heard or dismissed. Inclusion is inviting those who are marginalized to the table, hearing their experience and including their unique viewpoint in conversations.
focus and push for something permanent such as a clean DREAM Act that will provide a million undocumented youth with the opportunity to apply for citizenship without further militarizing the border and criminalizing our families and communities. There are lives and families at stake and it is inhumane to continue to play with our futures, safety and mental health. There are 800,000 DACA recipients out there and the rescinding of DACA have taken a huge toll on us all. Personally, I have had to put my post-graduation plans of attending law school on hold. Although I will be protected by DACA for another two years and will have the ability to continue working, I do not know what the future holds
What does your daily life look like (both in school and out) - what struggles do you face because of your status?
I think the biggest struggle that I face because of my status is financial need. Contrary to what many of those opposed to DACA think, undocumented students do not qualify for any type of state or federal financial aid, meaning that we are not taking anyone’s tax money. In some states there are separate private funds for DACA recipients or “Dreamers” and they are allowed to pay in-state tuition. However, my home state of Wisconsin is considered a “locked out” state meaning that undocumented students are charged tuition as if we were international students, despite the fact that many of us have resided in Wisconsin for most of our life. I have received small private scholarships but they are very limited, especially here in Wisconsin. Every semester I have to work one or two jobs in order to support myself and cover academic expenses.
What is something you would like to say to people that wish to appeal DACA?
I think it’s important to note that DACA was a temporary and unstable solution for undocumented youth and young adults in the United States. We need to focus and push for something permanent such as a clean DREAM Act that will provide a million
What makes you feel proud/powerful?
I think what makes me feel the most powerful and proud is knowing that I have grown into a capable and independent woman. As a woman of color, from a male dominated culture, we are often expected to serve and be dependent. Knowing that I am now living a life where I am fully in charge of my own decisions, am providing for myself and am independent makes me feel powerful and in charge of my own destiny.
Can you pinpoint a moment when you became empowered with that which makes you feel powerful? Describe a moment in your life when you started to embrace your identity.
I was lucky enough to be raised in a very loving and supporting family, who instilled pride in me at a very young age. At home, I always knew who I was and my place in the world. However, a lot of times it was hard for me to navigate my culture and identity outside of the home. People don’t always understand the historical and political dynamics of colonialization and immigration outside of what they read in text books, which is a very limited scope. I think meeting other people and engaging with them in storytelling and shared experiences helped me to understand that my own experience and story didn’t have to be just like everyone else’s. This helped me to embrace my uniqueness and truly own my identity.
Has Kappa Delta Chi had any role in amplifying what makes you feel powerful? Please Describe.
Kappa Delta Chi allowed me to learn by example. Having very powerful women in my life who were in charge of their own lives, excelling in their careers and taking risks showed me that it was possible to excel in whatever path I chose. The mentorship I have received from this organization has been priceless to my personal and professional development.
What could we do better to amplify what makes you feel powerful?
e a moment in your life when you started to embrace your identity.
I feel that our organization needs to do a better job at listening, because often times listening is a powerful tool to empowering others. Allowing our members to have a voice and being able to be heard through proactive listening can not only make our members feel more powerful and involved, it can also lead to new discoveries and lessons for our leadership and organization as a whole.
Too often Sisters bring up issues and they are shrugged off or dismissed. This does not empower our women but can often bring them further down and pull them away from engaging with our organization. Instead, we should ensure that they are being heard, validated and respected. Involve them in the process of correcting the issues they have can also lead to allowing them to feel powerful and valued in our organization.
What advice do you have for sisters who are exploring their identity/purpose/what makes them feel powerful?
My greatest is advice is to search for your own truth. We live in a society that is very much focused on labels and conformity. We are expected to fit into these perfectly defined roles and inside restrictive boxes. However, the pressure to fit into social standards is unrealistic and it doesn’t promote your own happiness or personal development. Take some time to truly understand who you are and honor your own truth.
27, Lambda Chapter at Arizona State University, Fall 2010