by Leah Gomez ’26

I chose my mother Alejandra, who currently works at Arise Chicago a non profit organization that partners with workers and faith communities to fight workplace injustice through education and organization and advocating for public policy changes. My mother, a hard working kind hearted woman, is the most important woman in my life.

Why my mom?: My mother born in Colotlan, Jalisco Mexico in 1986 immigrated to the united states as a child with little to no memory of her hometown, Finding jobs as an undocumented woman in the united states isn’t easy my mother didn’t always have money, my mother is my inspiration to keep getting an education and chase my dreams and live the life she couldn’t always have growing up. I also chose my mother because she’s extremely proud of her Mexican heritage and taught me everything I know about my roots and I love that about her.