No one truly prepares you for the obstacles you’ll face in this lifetime, especially when navigating a journey into the unknown. This is the reality for many immigrants, who make the difficult decision to leave everything they’ve ever known behind, all in the hope of building a better future. The challenges become even greater when one is a single mother. These women are forced to adapt to a new culture, new language overcome financial hardship and raise children on their own. The barrier they face pushes them to look beyond their own struggles and find strength in their determination to succeed. For many single mothers who work as street vendors, this job gives them the power to be their own bosses, while providing financial freedom and flexibility to be present for their children.

In my case, the experience wasn’t much different. As a child of a single immigrant mother, I witnessed firsthand the many obstacles she faced. Like many immigrants, my mother struggled with the language barrier, making it incredibly difficult for her to find a stable job. Despite these challenges, she had no choice but to find a way to provide for herself and her children. With courage, she took a leap of faith and decided to invest in herself. She was able to find that strength in her love for flowers and turn it into her job and become a street vendor. The journey was not easy, but she was able to learn how much to invest to get a profit. She was able to become her own boss that allowed her to manage her time to be a mother. Through her hard work and determination, my mother not only provided for our family but also taught us the valuable lesson that, with bravery and perseverance, it’s possible to turn dreams into reality even when the odds are stacked against you.

My mother, like many women, represents the stem of a flower. Each petal represents the loved ones she cared for, her dedication as a worker, and her everlasting love. She is the flower that bloomed despite the most difficult conditions through snow, rain, and sunshine all because of her perseverance and resilience. Her resilience, like that of a flower reaching toward the sun, serves as a reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, love, hard work, and determination can help one succeed.

Itzel Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the City College of New York and currently serves as a Counselor Advocate for the Violence Intervention Program (VIP) in New York. In this role, she provides advocacy and emotional support to individuals impacted by violence, helping them navigate legal, housing, and health systems. Passionate about mental health advocacy, Itzel is committed to breaking down barriers and dismantling stigma, striving to create a more supportive and understanding environment for those in need.

Image Credit: Juanita entre las Flores, c. 1900-1930. Alfredo Ramos Martínez (México, 1871-1946)