Caroline Potolicchio’s Main Post

Written By Caroline Potolicchio 

Mendez’s piece is about leadership and how you should always strive to meet a certain goal. Her grandmother raised her after her mom was murdered in a carjacking and her grandmother was truly a role model to her always helping others. When Mendez went to the states she found herself being a leader at the age of 12. She volunteered for the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, and also found herself teaching English, being a translator, and an organizer.. She went out of her way to lead the way and show other immigrants that they could create a future for themselves. She also lobbied and helped raise awareness about the Development, Relief, and Education for Aliens Minor Act, and the American Dream Act. “Both of these pieces of federal legislation allow undocumented high school students the opportunity to obtain permanent residency, attend institutions of higher education at in-state tuition rates, and give them a path toward leadership.” After reading this piece, it is evident that Mendez had a everlasting impact on leadership with immigrants.

In Turner’s piece, she talks about growing up in Columbia Maryland, the only girl in a competitive athletic family. Before even reading the rest of the article, I was suddenly drawn by this quick fact about Courtney. First off, I am from the southeast, residing in Bethesda Maryland, with both of my parents, and 4 brothers, also being the only girl. She talks about how hard work and persistence are the keys to success, and without them you will fail. She states that for herself, failure is never an option. She gained an understanding of her identity as a black by learning from her past family members. I found it interesting that Turner talks about how she grew up “thinking male”. She refused to do household chores if her brothers didn’t have to do it. Growing up in an athletic family, and being an athlete myself, I know exactly where she is coming from. I grew up as a tom- boy with my four brothers, and always wanted to be equally treated with the rest of them. I found it very intriguing that her parents were not into her being a feminist when they are so keen on studying the black community and their oppression. 

            Kaminksy talks about how she pursued her path of nursing. She states how nursing is a traditionally been seen as women’s work. Her dad asked her why she would choose such a path  if she is an “intelligent young Generation Y woman with possibilities open to her. Her internship in South Africa really was influential in her choosing her career path in nursing.  She talks about the hospital setting and the gender differences. She says that the interaction between physicians and nurses has changed over the years, and she finds that most physicians are respectful of the nursing role. They see the nurse as “an essential final link in the chain of care for the patient and is usually treated as such.

            All 3 of these articles have women who talk about how their experiences and leaders present in their life have led them to the career paths they have chosen.