My mom has always been my role model. She had my twin sister and me when she was just 27 years old. In those early years, she stayed home with us, pouring everything into being the best mom she could be. But once we started kindergarten, she felt this strong pull to do more—not for herself, but for others. She wanted to help people who were vulnerable, especially the elderly. That’s when she started working as a social worker for the Department of Health and Human Services for the Aging and Disabled.
She taught me that compassion is strength.
Some of my clearest childhood memories are of going on home visits with her. I can still picture her sitting with people who needed help, talking to them with such patience and kindness, making them feel seen and cared for. I remember feeling so alive in those moments, like I was witnessing something bigger than myself. Watching my mom do that kind of work didn’t just inspire me—it shaped who I am.
My mom showed me what it means to give of yourself, to show up for people who can’t always show up for themselves. She taught me that compassion is strength, and that helping others is one of the most important things we can do. I carry those lessons with me every day, and they’ve made me the woman I am today. To me, she isn’t just my mom—she’s the example I look up to, the person I want to be more like, and the reason I believe in the power of kindness. She is, and always will be, my greatest role model.