Writing introspectively is a really difficult task. It took me about ten tries to even land on an idea I felt comfortable writing about for my law school personal statement. It is scary being vulnerable, but why are we afraid to delight in our accomplishments? Is this a uniquely female phenomenon? I personally think it might be, and I want to end this stigma. It is my hope that female role models help younger females feel more confident about themselves, so that they are not ashamed to be proud of who they are.

 

I don’t think I can discuss the topic of strong female role models without explaining why it is so important to me. As a soon to be graduating senior, I sit at my desk writing my Minor in Writing Capstone project, looking back on my college experience. Old football tickets, pictures from freshman year, and pencils that have seen better days lay beside me. Each item represents something different--my feet going numb at my first football game, the night I met my best friend, and that first blue book exam I wish I had done better on. As I look at these items that remind me of who I was, I can’t help think to myself, am I still that person? Who was I and who have I become? Was what was important to me still important to me now? What experiences made me who I am? 

​

I forgot to mention my sorority pin sitting in the corner of my desk. When I see this tiny pin, it reminds me of the strength I have, which I once never knew was inside of me. Sorority president. If you asked me my biggest take away of college it would be the leadership skills I learned, which all started from this singular position. More specifically, it would be the importance I found in inspiring other females. But how did this come about? Why was this my calling all throughout college? As I reminisce on each experience, I realize that there must have been a drive inside me, but where did I get this drive? I now realize that I would not have taken on these roles if I did not have strong female role models in my life.

​

My story began freshman year. I was naïve and scared, surrounded by big personalities in an even bigger school. I knew I wanted to join a sorority. I wanted friends. I wanted camaraderie. I wanted to feel a part of something. When the current freshman class in my sorority was told we were going to have to take over the executive board second semester, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted a low commitment role because why not. It would look nice on my resume and help me grow closer to new friends. Philanthropy chair would be perfect, I thought. What came next I was not ready for, but I had no choice but to jump into the cold, deep water.

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

I was asked to be president. Stunned, shocked, and scared, I accepted this position. People saw something inspiring and strong in me, and I realized that I needed to see this in myself too. A position like this comes once in a lifetime, and I did not want to regret passing on the opportunity. Looking back, I now realize that this position is what led me to take on other leadership roles throughout college. This experience made me realize that I am good at being a leader and that it is important to inspire others. However, if it weren’t for female role models in my life, I probably wouldn't have taken that first leap of faith.

​

At this point in my life, I think the female role model who inspired me to push myself further than I thought possible was and still to this day is my mom. My mom is an extraordinary woman. I know everyone says this about their mom, but my mom has shown strength and grace all throughout her life when things did not come easy to her. My mom, who graduated high school a year early, was salutatorian of her large high school in Queens, New York. While my mom has always pushed me to reach my fullest potential and has always been my biggest cheerleader, her mother was not involved in her academics. My grandma was the warmest, most loving person, and I miss her so much. However, times were different. She had not gone to college, so getting my mom there wasn’t necessarily her biggest goal. My mom applied to one college early decision, was accepted and then went on to law school. She has been a successful attorney ever since. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to achieve all she has. She is a big reason I am attending law school next year. I always think about how I could never have achieved all I’ve had if it weren’t for my mom. She is always there when I need her. She always inspires me and pushes me because she knows I am capable of more than I think. How did she do it on her own? This inner drive she had drives me. It didn’t stop there. When my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and my grandfather abruptly then passed away, and then my grandma, she handled the situation with grace. She never let what was happening affect the way she cared for my brother and I. This I will never understand. Both of her parents were gone, but she still found the strength to be there for me and my brother.She always tells us that the only reason she was able to keep herself together and stay strong was because she knew my brother and I needed that. 

​

My mom is tough. I’ve seen her in court, and she doesn’t take nonsense from anyone. Whether it be a customer service call demanding our Chinese food that is twenty minutes late or harshly settling a case---my mom is a badass. At work, at home, with her family, with her friends, always. She makes me want to be a badass too. I have grown up with great self worth because of my mom. I don’t let people treat me less than I deserve and I am always soaring to excel. All because of her. If I didn’t have my mom as a strong female role model, would I have accepted the presidency? Would I have even been offered it? Would I then have taken on all of these other roles in college, the next one leading right to the next?

​

My sophomore year, a year after my sorority president role, I did not stop this drive and thirst for more leadership experiences. I became president of Go Blue Wear Pink, a club that raises money for breast cancer research for the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. At this point, I felt confident being a leader. I was older, more mature. As I became older and more experienced, I realized the true impact I could have on others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The summer after that year I applied to be a part of the Collegiate Leadership Internship Program at New York University. As a member of this cohort, I met weekly with other students where we learned about leadership, identity development, and professional development. I was also placed to work at an internship for the summer. I was placed at the Jewish Federations of North America in the National Women’s Philanthropy Department. I believe I was chosen for this position since I was previously president of my sorority. I was beginning to build my story with the common thread of female empowerment. I knew I wanted to help other females feel just as strong and confident as I was able to feel. I could achieve this by being a leader and inspiring others. 

 

My two passions combined this year—being a strong female leader and my interest in the law. My friend and I started a new club on campus called Women in Law. We realized the University of Michigan was lacking a space for females interested in law to learn and support each other. My interest and passion in law was furthered in the beginning of the year when I took business law with Professor Dana Muir. As a strong female role model, she even came to speak to Women in Law. Professor Muir worked hard to achieve her goals. She tried many paths until she found one she was confident in. I admire this about her. It is hard finding something and sticking with it even if it isn’t your passion, but it is even harder deciding to leave it and learn something new.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a young woman going to law school next year, I want to learn the law and become a matrimonial lawyer so that I can help females who do not feel as empowered as I do. Judge Karina Alomar, the judge my mom is a court attorney for, embodies this. Before she became a judge, she was a partner at her own matrimonial law firm. She wanted to help those in unhappy marriages empower themselves, when they themselves did not feel empowered. 

​

Will I become a role model for people? Am I already a role model? These women in my life have made a difference in who I am and who I have become. In my next section, I learn more about my role models, in hope it can help me act as one for others.