What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

The most rewarding part is knowing I broke cycles. Despite my own trauma, I chose to rise above. My daughter is resilient, empathetic, and now stands up for others after facing severe bullying herself. She’s become an advocate, not a victim. Seeing her strength shows me that everything I fight for matters—and I’m raising her to use her voice and never back down for what’s right.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Motherhood taught me that I am her voice. I was bullied, emotionally abused, and made the scapegoat in my family, and I know what that silence does to a child. I refuse to let that be her story. I advocate for her, protect her, and I’m raising her to use her voice, stand strong, and never back down for what’s right.

What would you do with $20,000?

I would use $20,000 to secure safe, stable housing for my family. We’ve been homeless since 2024 after black mold in two homes, moving 13 times. In SIREN, a DV/homeless program, we were placed in unsafe, unsanitary housing that caused respiratory distress, worsening my daughter’s asthma, my allergies, and affecting my medically vulnerable infant grandson. Despite reporting it, no action was taken, our belongings went missing, and we remain displaced. I will continue advocating for families.