Brave Mothers, Bright Futures: Meet Maria
If you ever need someone to decorate a party for you, Maria should be your number one pick. She’s a master of creating paper decorations, and turning a space into something festive. “People say I’m good at party-planning,” says Maria, “but I just do it for fun! I love researching DIY projects and making them come to life in my home.” For Maria, it’s also about the community that’s built at these parties. Her family is closely knit with several other families in our neighborhood, and they’ll often enjoy meals together in their apartment, or go to the park and have a BBQ, always teasing one another and laughing.
Sixteen years ago, Maria immigrated to Los Angeles from Yucatan, Mexico, with her aunt and then-boyfriend, now-husband. Now, they live here in San Francisco and parent their two children: Shaina, age 12, and Iker, age 5. Here more from Maria, in her own words:
What advice would you give to other mothers?
“Kids are a lot of work and responsibility. Before they’re born, attend prenatal classes so you’re prepared. Once they’re born, find classes and programs that you can send them to. The kids will be enriched and their mind will be open, and you’ll connect with other parents who can support you. And always: have fun with your kids. Things can become chaotic, but you can be yourself with them.”
What brave, bright future do you imagine for yourself?
“A bright future for me is a brighter future for my daughter. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up. If she can have that opportunity and study like I wish I could have, then I will be at my happiest. I want her to have what I could not have.
“When we flew to Yucatan to visit family, my daughter took two suitcases with her. I told her I wanted her to bring nothing back, to give away all her toys and clothing — everything. I knew that the kids there would be grateful to have just one new toy of the many she kept at home. When we came back to San Francisco, my daughter had a better understanding of the situation in our country. She saw kids her age going to work at grain mills. She came back understanding different cultures, appreciative of our family and living, and motivated to study hard to change the world. I’m so proud of her.”
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