Educated Latina Series Part 1: When I knew I was different.
I wanted to start this three-part series to help educated Latinas realize that our journey is never easy, but with inspiring each other and hearing each other’s stories we can empower other Latinas just like us.
I'm this brown girl from Dallas, Texas. And yes Dallas Dallas. No not Plano, Richardson, Coppell. Dallas plain and simple.
I got into UT Austin for college, coming out of a decent high school from Pleasant Grove called Skyline. A magnet high school. I was in the science cluster, a nerd. I know I got in because they were accepting minorities students in the top 10% of their class, but I deserved to be there just like everyone else.
I walked onto the UT campus and really didn't see anyone that looked, dressed or talked like me. Let me put it like this. I had graduated from a 90% minority high school and moved to the biggest University in Texas which was possibly about 20% minority in 2000. That 70% was a huge eye opener. I was never truly discriminated to my face unless you count when one of my biology professors asked me where I was from because of my "accent." Ok, ok, I know I probably have a "Spanglish Texas Twang" thing going on, but damn I'm from Dallas. Dallas Dallas. 😃
I wanted to get involved, I wanted to have the "true" college experience. So I thought, let me rush a sorority. Yeah, that "sounds like fun." I can meet girls, go out, study with, etc. Well, you should have seen me. Ms. Erica Montes over here rushing for Chi Omega, Tri Delta, etc. They seemed great, but I literally left "rush" rushing away to my dorm room thinking, "What the hell are you doing Erica?"
Somehow on the lawn a few weeks later, I meet the lovely sisters of Kappa Delta Chi, a Latina sorority where the girls looked like me, dressed like me and even talked more like me. I joined this amazing group and they became my people to get me through these challenging but amazing years. It's human nature to gravitate towards other similar to you and if it is those people that get you through, join them!
Basically #educatedlatinas, I want you to learn a few things I have picked up along the way during my education and please visit my "Mujeres in Medicine" page here on the blog for some tips that can work for any women seeking a higher education.
Don't make excuses. It doesn't matter where you came from but where you are going. I knew I was going to be doctor. It wasn't a matter of if, but more of when. Well, my tia had to give me a little prep talk as a cried outside on my dorm steps, but it was all over after that. No one can take your education or those letters at the end of your name away. Remember that.
Be more. As a woman and as a minority (Latina), you have to be be "More Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, it's exhausting!" Selena's dad was right, but hey we do this everyday and that's why we succeed.
Be proud of your history. You have a story and it is your story that makes you amazing and different from all the other applicants. Embrace your language as well. It doesn’t matter if your Spanish is not perfect, no one’s English is perfect either.
Be a mentor to other minority women who look up to you. I delivered a baby just the other day and a young Latina was a nursing stud helping in my delivery. I had to rush back to the office but I wanted to make an impression on her. I wanted her to remember not only her first delivery, but remember me. So I showed her the placenta, talked a little and then I told her, "Good luck in your education." It just came out. I didn't even think about it twice. I wanted to inspire and empower her and to think "if Dr. Montes can do it, so can I."
Break the cycle. When Latinas get higher educations, your kids will likely match your education level and having more minorities in higher education positions is a beautiful thing. My dream is that my kids won't feel as "different" when they go to college one day.
Mujer is beautiful.
The future is mujer.
Stay fuerte!
Dr. E
“You’d be surprised who’s watching your journey and who’s being inspired by it. Don’t quit! ”