A Phenomenal Woman - Lia Peralta | Freshman at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
The second young lady from the trio, to share her story is Lia Peralta. You never know what one has been through until they decide to share their testimony with you. It ends up being a reality check, provides that good slice of humble pie that you didn't ask for but needed, and forces you to count your blessings. Check out Lia's amazing story below!
"In 1988, I was born in the Dominican Republic. A short 9 years later my mom made the decision to move to the United States. A decision that was driven by a lot of hurt and a violent past. A decision made by the need to survive. While the transition was not easy, the United States offered something that my country could not- safety. The memories of terror allowed us to appreciate every step of our journey learning to not identify ourselves as victims but survivors.
It was in school that I found comfort. I soon noticed that it was the one thing I excelled in and my passion for being a doctor started. I went from taking English as a Second Language classes in the fourth grade to becoming Valedictorian in the fifth. Learning English was easy compared to all the ridicule I faced for being 'different' because of my origins. Not because I was Dominican (because most of the students were too) but because my taste in culture was too black for them.
Fast-forward to high school where I attended a specialized high school in New York and continued to make my parents proud in my academic career. During this time, I started wearing my hair naturally curly- a decision highly praised by my friends yet shunned by my family. They didn’t understand why I was trying to be black and not following the Dominican way of constantly straightening my hair and trying to appear lighter than most. This idea was absurd to me as I wondered, how could the hair that grows out of my head not be enough? I tried not to notice the internalized hatred that almost everyone in my family seemed to have and focused on myself.
When I received my acceptance to Howard University I was relieved to finally be attending a place where I would be accepted for embracing my roots. I was wrong. While Howard has offered me a place to educate others on what being Afro-Latina is, and has definitely been more inclusive than any other place I’ve ever been, it has also opened my eyes to all of the confusion on the extent of the African Diaspora. Not only has Howard University helped me to educate others, it has increased my education to understand and appreciate who I really am and how proud I am to be Afro-Latina. Howard University has opened up a plethora of doors for me and made me realize this is the reason that my mom and I came to the United States. I am incredibly happy where I am today and the person that I have become. I look forward to helping others get in touch with who they truly are while also helping in the health field. Everything that I have witnessed has led me to the decision that I need to give back to my community in the health field because if we do not help each other then who will."
Lia, your strength is what makes you so PHENOMENAL. Continue to be that light to your peers as you continue your journey at Howard. Someone is definitely being educated and enlightened on campus, even if they never verbalize it to you. Phenomenal Woman, hunny that's you!
