Starting from zero is for the brave, and dreaming is for those who know how to persevere. Life isn’t easy for anyone, but every day we make decisions that, in one way or another, shape our future. My path hasn’t been linear; it has been a roller coaster full of obstacles… but behind each one, I always found an opportunity. An opportunity to grow, to learn, to discover myself.
Every person who has crossed my path has taught me something: what to do, what not to do, and how to move forward. When I left Panama to come to the United States to study architecture, I never imagined how much my life would change. I didn’t know everything I would learn, how difficult it would be, or how much personal and professional growth was waiting for me.
Anyone who has emigrated knows it’s not a straight line. It’s uncertainty, it’s crying, it’s being afraid because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. It’s doubting, asking yourself if you made the right decision, if this path is truly for you. But then opportunities like this come along, moments where you get to write part of your story, your journey, and you realize you are brave. That you’ve taken huge risks… and that, fortunately, they’ve been worth it.
I feel proud of what I represent. I carry Panama 🇵🇦🫶🏼with me, my Latina and Arab heritage, my language, my traditions, my customs, and my memories. All of that matters. All of that makes me who I am: a Panamanian woman, Latina Arab, architect, human, empathetic, someone who tries to understand others and help them. That is what shapes my work, not only as an architect but also as a mentor.
And in a world where so much is happening all at once, telling our stories matters more than ever. Leaving our mark, naming what we’ve lived and what we’ve built is valuable.
Today, on International Women’s Day, I want to thank
@arquitina and
@alicia_ponce_architect for the opportunity to share a small piece of my story in The Latinas in Architecture Book Vol. III. My story, like many others, is built on perseverance, love, and conviction in what we want to achieve.
Happy International Women’s Day to all. Let’s celebrate today and every day, because we are incredible.❤️
