This year’s 2018 Latina graduates are celebrating their achievements by telling their profound stories of love, hope and familia. For many of the Latinas crossing the stage this year, getting to and through college was no easy feat, particularly because of the various obstacles institutions have set in their way. Still, in true #Latinapower, they persisted and now join this year’s group of graduates.
Here’s a look at nine Latinas graduating this year despite the odds that were stacked against them:
This UC Berkeley graduate had all of the thanks to give to her single mother.
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Despite dealing with the death of her husband and having to raise kids on her own, this Latina’s mom found the strength to help her daughter get through school.
After having her scholarship stripped because of her undocumented status, this Latina’s parents worked around the clock to help her cross the stage.
When my school discovered I was undocumented, my scholarship & in-state tuition were taken away. I told my papi that I was going to drop out & work instead. My papi told me he’d cut his arm off before I dropped out. We made it work. Today I graduated & he’s why. #undocugrad pic.twitter.com/RwDuOe5xaF
— camila ???? (@camilaronipizza) May 5, 2018
Camila, the woman in the picture above, tweeted a photo of her embracing her father that went viral earlier this week.
After dropping out and giving birth to a son, this Latina went back to school and worked full time to give her son a better life.
Even more evidence that no matter how hard life gets, Latinas bounce back.
Decorated graduation caps always invoke some emotions, but this one will get you right in the feels.
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For all of our ambitions, most of us are fortunate to have parents there to lift us up.
This Latina’s emotional story about her abuela’s immigration is just more proof that immigrants love the United States for all of its opportunities.
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Her abuela worked for 42 years in an entry-level job to help her children move to the United States so that their kids could raise U.S. college graduates.
Another graduate whose sole goal in graduating was to give back to her mother and provide a better life for her.
My graduation doesn’t fall on Mother’s Day but I’m giving my mom an early Mother’s Day gift of me walking down that stage and hoping one day she won’t need to work anymore. I’m gonna provide everything she needs as she has done for me these past 22years. #firstgeneration pic.twitter.com/2tVnVdGzZp
— Vané???? (@Nesssser221) May 7, 2018
“I’m gonna provide everything she needs as she has done for me these past 22years.” #quierollorar
This Afro-Latina is a reminder that some of us might be #firstgen, but we won’t be the last.
La primera pero no la ultima ????✨ #latinxgrad #firstgen pic.twitter.com/vTSqDcFwXt
— Melissa???????????????? (@melthemag) May 11, 2018
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Latinas turn their graduation tassels to the other sides of their caps. Can’t wait for more!
Can’t wait to see the amazing things this Latina does for Latinxs to come.
I DID IT! ????????????⚖️????
✅ Law School ????⚖️????
✅ Dream job representing courageous immigrant women & girls ????????????????⚖️✊????
✅ Undocumented & #HereToStay, #HereToFight!
Thank you Mami & Papi ????????????#UndocuGrad #ImmiGrad pic.twitter.com/zdYFZGPCzk
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) May 11, 2018
We???? need ???? more????Latinas ????in law ????and ????STEM!
No graduation story about a dad can be delivered without a stream of tears.
My dad once told me since he never got an education, all he wanted for me is to get what he didn’t so he crossed the border. Thank you papi, this is for you. ???????? #firstgeneration #CentralAmericanTwitter pic.twitter.com/dKSiB58cYV
— Mayra (@mayr_uh) May 4, 2018
Because can you really help yourself from thinking about all of the work your papa put into making sure that you got to where you are today?
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