The most rewarding part of being a mom is knowing that, no matter what life throws at me, I rise stronger and fiercer because my daughter is watching. I left behind what no longer served us and built a new life with grit and love. She deserves to see that women are warriors, that we create our own paths. One day, she’ll know everything I overcame for her—and she’ll know she can do anything, too

My favorite memory is meeting Cora for the first time. After over 24 hours of labor and an emergency C-section, I was exhausted, but the moment they brought her to me, everything else faded. She was crying, and I whispered, ‘Hi Cora, I’m your mommy. Happy birthday.’ She slowly stopped crying, opened her eyes, and just stared at me. Our faces touched, and in that moment, nothing else mattered. It was pure love—the best moment of my life

I’d use $20,000 to rebuild the life my daughter and I deserve. I walked away from almost everything to give us a fresh start, and the financial strain has been overwhelming. But I refuse to let hardship define us. I’ve fought through every challenge, never backing down. This money wouldn’t just help me get back on my feet—it would be fuel for our future, proof that no setback is stronger than a determined mother. I don’t just survive, I rise!