From One Room to America: A Story of Resilience

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today, I celebrate the woman who shaped my life: my mother.

Growing up in India, we were a family of five crammed into a single room. Money was tight, with my dad’s second-grade education limiting his job prospects. But amidst the poverty, my mom, a woman who only finished tenth grade, stood out as a beacon of courage and leadership.

She was ten steps ahead of everyone else. While Dad hesitated, she dreamt big. When the opportunity arose to buy property — a potential path out of poverty — Dad balked. But Mom, with her unwavering determination, wouldn’t take no for an answer. She even defied societal norms by insisting on her own education.

It wasn’t until I was fifteen, an age of stark awareness, that I truly understood our circumstances. The weight of poverty settled on me, and I knew I had to find a way out. When I confessed this fear to Mom, her reaction was a poignant mix of tears and laughter. “What’s your plan?” she asked, her unwavering belief in me a constant source of strength.

My plan was simple: education. I set my sights on a work visa to the US, a seemingly impossible dream from our tiny one-room world. It took six long years of relentless focus, but with Mom’s spirit guiding me, I achieved it.

Today, she’s no longer with us physically, but her influence remains. Every step I take, every challenge I overcome, is a testament to the fire she ignited within me…