My “primeras” were my mom and grandma. My paternal grandma, Hilda Galaviz Cano, has a legacy that is its own story. Her father strongly believed in education, so much so that he established a huelga school in 1920’s Del Rio Texas. My grandma started college but dropped out to become a “Rosie Riveter” to help the war effort. She met a handsome soldier, got married, and started a family. But her story did not end there. She went back to school and earned her B.S.16 years after graduating from high school, with all of her children in attendance at her college graduation. She served many years as an elementary school teacher encouraging other women to continue their studies along the way. She also produced her own family of educators. Of her 5 children, 4 became educators.
My mom, Amelia Araiza Cano, was the oldest of 10 children. She first studied to be an LVN but returned to get her B.S.N. and RN license shortly after. My grandpa, her dad, only studied until the 3rd grade with my grandma completing the 11th grade. “Primeras” not only impact their kids, but in my mom’s case, their younger siblings as well. The second born, my tia Alma, went on to attain her MSW and their siblings after them all attained some sort-of PSE, most being in healthcare and social services. This also speaks to the saying “If you can see it, you can dream it.” My mom’s siblings saw the two oldest siblings work in healthcare and social services. This influenced the course of studies they would pursue.
As a high-school counselor, I give a pre-Career Day survey to my kids. Oftentimes the only focused responses are from those who have a mom, dad, tia, tio, prima, primo, etc. who has attained a PSE. They had been exposed to a particular career and that’s what they aspired to. Unlike their more affluent peers, “primeras” are more likely to be exposed to a limited number of careers, thus narrowing the course of studies they pursue.
Another goal of SLP is to expose our “primeras” to a wide gamut of careers. If they see it, they can dream it. We hope our “primeras” will inspire them. I hope to help inspire and produce generations of “primeras.”
Soy la Primera 