These women (and girls) took it upon themselves to learn despite the obstacles.
Momma Gets a Diploma
Sonia Betancourt, a mother of two who had put aside her plans for higher education when she found she was pregnant at 15, recently graduated from UCLA! After watching her children Miguel and Stephanie attend the university, Sonia decided to apply to UCLA herself. Now she’ll graduate with a degree in nursing, proving that it’s never too late for a strong woman to achieve her dreams.
Graduate Girl
At age 12, Fiona Currie has recently become the youngest person to graduate from LA City College. When her family chose homeschooling during the pandemic, she was eventually able to pursue college courses. Three years later, Fiona has an associate degree and a 4.0 GPA. She even made the Dean’s List! Fiona plans to use her degree to pursue digital design and animation–while also continuing her college studies next year.
Dreams Unlocked
In Lockhart, Texas, 62 incarcerated women became high school graduates through the Goodwill Excel Center program. The program doesn’t just let inmates get their GEDs, they can also earn certifications such as culinary, construction, or business office management. The center has found that if inmates participate in an educational program, the chances of them becoming incarcerated again decrease by 43%.
