Internship

This post is about how my supervisor at UnidosUS became a mentor who changed the way I think about policy, leadership, and impact.

Growing up in a farmworker family, I didn’t always understand the sacrifices happening around me. But as I got older, I began to see freedom not just as doing what I wanted, but as having the opportunity to build something meaningful, for myself and for those who got me here.

Speaking up used to terrify me—until the day my silence hurt more than my fear. That moment taught me that freedom isn’t just about rights; it’s about having the courage to use your voice, especially when it shakes. Now, I speak not only for myself but for my community and for those still finding their voice.

I am reflecting on what freedom means to me and share how voting for the first time, while working to empower others to do the same, was a powerful, personal moment that connected me to history, justice, and the fight for equality. 

Interning with the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start and National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislatures, I found myself surrounded by future lawyers, policy talk, and inspiring mentors, learning how real change starts from a corner desk and everyday conversations.