CATCHING UP WITH: NOEMI 

Noemi Raygoza graduated from our program in 2013 and was awarded an Empowerment Scholarship for her essay on how Athena's Warehouse became a safe place for her as she supported her family through her father's illness. Noemi recently finished her first semester at Georgia State University where she is aspiring to be a school counselor. She loves documentaries and works part-time at Chick-fil-A while taking full courses in school. Noemi tells us about what her motivations are for success and offers advice to other young women.

What are you currently studying?

I am planning to major in psychology and want to lean towards early childhood.

Why did you choose this major?

I chose this major because every aspect of social interactions and human behavior interests me. I want know what makes people tick and I want to help people using this knowledge.

What motivates you to strive for success?

My family is my biggest motivation. I have a younger brother and sister who I want to be a role model for. I want to make my parents proud by succeeding in a career that I'm good at. Ultimately I want to be successful for myself and to be an independent woman.

Name something that you are proud of yourself for doing.

I am proud of being the first in my family to go to college. I can show my family back home in Mexico that yes I am a woman, and yes I will be successful. I am proud that I was able to go through high school without losing who I want to be. I kept my morals and did not stray from the respectful person my parents taught me to be.

Name some women you admire and why.

I admire many different types of women. I admire artists such as Frida Kahlo, and scientists like Rosalind Franklin for having the courage to get out and achieve their dreams. I could name many women who have made their own path but the most inspiring has to be my mom. She is in all ways the type of woman I want to be. She is strong willed, intelligent, and warm hearted. She came from nothing to be the loving mother who would work any job and give anything for us. She is who I aspire to be. 

What is your advice to young women?

My advice to young women is to learn to love oneself. Young women face countless obstacles such as having low confidence and being put down by others. To be successful and to be truly happy I think you first have to find acceptance in yourself. My advice is to face the person you want to be, not who others expect or push you to be. Rely on yourself and what you are capable of, because you might be surprised.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years I see myself working towards achieving my masters degree. I want to get into helping people, as soon as I can. I plan on getting into activism towards women's rights. I plan on taking every opportunity I can to help others.

Why do you support Athena's Warehouse?

I support Athena's Warehouse because it is a group like no other. The girls that join experience opportunities that they would not get in any other place. Once in the club you are surrounded by people who are kind and sympathetic. These people understand what you are going through and help in many ways any other club couldn't. The girls are taught over body image, and what to do in an instance of abuse. Life lessons such as these are catered to girls who almost feel forgotten by others. In Athena's Warehouse, everyone is included and we all learned what we are capable of and how to better prepare ourselves for the obstacle we face as women. Athena's Warehouse is a great organization, and I fully support it because young women need the knowledge and aid this club offers.