As a Latina first-generation student from New York City, I have had incredible opportunities in my life due to my geographical location. For instance, I was able to:

• Become a community organizer for United We Dream (UWD).

• Be a part of leadership spaces created for the Latine community.

• Learn from Latine peer mentors and faculty.

• Feel a greater sense of belonging.

   

These opportunities have been mine because of my community’s support, love, and hard work. I owe it to my community to give back to them. This is why I fight for our rights at UWD actions, mentor younger Latine peers, and program event spaces for Latine people at my university. These moments are the essence of my identity. The care I receive and give to my community empowers me to do my best to help all Latine people succeed.

As a public health major, I want to help our community be healthier so that more Latine people can have the power to make change. This is why I take charge of learning about issues most impacting my community: the formulation of the Zero Tolerance Policy, diabetes, and health literacy among older people in our community, the effects of health insurance policies, maternal stress, youth obesity rates, etc.

My passion for these issues is inspired by the 1960s Young Lords, a Puerto Rican-led movement concerned with women’s rights and community health. They created sustainable health change by promoting health care, childcare services, and meals for the community. My favorite story is when the Young Lords “liberated” a truck for the barrio when the city refused to do tuberculosis testing. They even took over a hospital for a day in July 1970 to demand a new hospital and preventative health care programs be built in the South Bronx. The Young Lords’ efforts ensure that past, current, and future generations are strong enough to prosper and thrive!

The Young Lords inspire me to continue the legacy of work to make Latine communities healthy. I will continue this legacy through my vote. My vote can help ensure our issues and needs are considered and represented so that our communities can be educated and maintain wellness so that we can continue to grow and thrive as people.

Our community is capable, and so are you. This is why I am voting, and I hope you also use your right to vote.