Luis G. Pedraja
Each March, we celebrate Women's History Month and International Women's Day to recognize the many achievements and impacts of women throughout history. While our nation recognizes the women who shaped history, fought for civil rights, served as leaders, and made great discoveries, lesser-known but no less influential women are forgotten. often.
Women have shaped history through their daily labor in homes, stores, classrooms, hospitals, laboratories, community agencies, governments, factories, and more. But sadly, many have made groundbreaking history without ever being recognized.
As we celebrate women throughout history this month, we must remember the challenges women have faced throughout history, from the right to vote to access to education to striving to achieve equality. This struggle continues to this day. As an educator, it pains me to know how many women have been, and still are, prevented from realizing their hopes and dreams by a society and culture that refuses to educate them.
I can't help but think of my mother, a strong and intelligent woman who wanted to be a nurse. However, her grandfather did not allow her to attend nursing school because he thought it would be a waste of money because she would not be able to complete her studies once she got married.
I can't help but wonder how her life would have been different if she had been allowed to pursue her dreams. She was an immigrant who gave up everything to give her family a better life. She raised me to value education and worked as a teacher's assistant, guardian, and caregiver to ensure I received my education. But it's the story of how she wasn't allowed to pursue her hopes and dreams of her education that has stuck with me all these years. Although her story came from a different time and culture, it is still a common story for many women in our society.
Sexism and bias are two reasons why equity in education is so important. It is impossible to achieve equality without providing access to education. Quinsigamond Community College, like other community colleges, was premised on equitable access to higher education. For many years, the university has provided access to higher education to women who otherwise would not have been able to pursue their hopes and dreams of achieving a better future through education.
Rather than focusing on historical figures or famous women who achieved success, often against the odds, I would like to focus on the women who are part of QCC. In fact, more than 60% of QCC's current students are women. They are first-generation college students, immigrants, single mothers, parents, nontraditional students, and English as a second language learners who are making positive changes in their own lives and the lives of others. One such student, Rose, immediately comes to mind.
Rose is an immigrant like my mother who faced obstacles to achieve her dream of becoming a cardiologist. But her language barrier and her family's problems didn't deter her. Through her hard work, dedication, confidence, and persevering spirit, she overcame her challenges and attended Worcester Technical High School, where she eventually took early college classes in biology at QCC.
Even when she faced unprecedented obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic, her commitment to education never wavered. She went on to earn an associate degree in biology while balancing her studies with her work at QCC's Athletics Center. Rose is currently attending Worcester State University, majoring in biology and pursuing an M.D. degree, and she hopes to earn both her associate's and bachelor's degrees in one year.
Another student who has made an indelible impact on our university community is Fatin.
Fatin came to the United States as an immigrant with his young family after fleeing his country to escape the kidnappings and murders of educated people in his homeland. She already had an engineering degree. However, in order for her to remain in the United States she had to attend school and find her job, which was difficult because English was not her spoken language.
Like Rose, she turned to QCC and began taking English as a Second Language classes. Soon Fatin was taking biomedical engineering classes. In addition to her class load and caring for her family, she continued her academic work at the university's athletic center, volunteered as an interpreter in the admissions office, was an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and became a member of the New Women She served as an ambassador for other refugees in the in STEM student organization and was a player on QCC's first women's soccer team.
After graduating summa cum laude with an associate's degree in biomedical engineering, Fatin transferred to WPI to earn a bachelor's degree and then earned a master's degree from Northcentral University. Today, I am proud to say that she has come full circle and is now a full-time assistant professor of engineering technology at QCC. She continues to blaze a trail for other women in her STEM fields and is an inspiration to her students and colleagues.
These are just two of the thousands of women who have attended QCC. They have overcome unimaginable barriers, shattered glass ceilings, and changed the world.
Universities like QCC must continue to provide access to quality university education that further empowers women to shape their destinies and our future. Through programs and initiatives like MassReconnect, which provides free community college and child care services and resources to Massachusetts residents ages 25 and older, we can achieve gender equality through access to education now. We must do everything we can to help.
Rose eloquently writes: “My story is more than just a testament to academic achievement, it is a compelling example of carving your own path, free from societal and family expectations. It is a story of transformation, resilience, and the tenacity to pursue your own path. It's a story of the spirit.''
Luis G. Pedraja is president of Quinsigamond Community College.