On the shoulders of strong indigenous, women of valor, and servants, I stand. Through ancestral teachings of hope and generosity passed down by my grandmothers, I learned the value of sharing love and kindness with others. These attributes, coupled with my young, energetic spirit, instilled in me a natural desire for leadership and community organizing. At the age of 7 or 8, I found myself bringing together siblings and cousins for games and talent shows during the summer, drawing from the skills I observed both at home and at school. My inspiration for "Circulo de Chispas" stemmed from a deeply personal understanding of hardship, which I faced at the tender age of 13. My beautiful, dedicated mother, devoted to her family, fell into the hands of monstrous postpartum depression after giving birth to her last child. I became the mother to my siblings. Despite the challenges life threw my way, I persevered with unwavering strength and courage, emerging as a beacon of hope for others. My organizational skills proved invaluable during this difficult period. This challenge fueled my confidence, and my courage to organize grew stronger as I matured, leading me to become a servant of the community where I lived. My organizational skills became even more crucial when my son started school, and I became involved in my community, advocating for changes in the school's "English only PTA" to become bilingual for non-English-speaking parents. At the age of 29, I made the courageous decision to leave the familiarity of San Antonio and embark on a journey to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, driven by a deep desire for a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose. In Milwaukee, I continued my passion for enriching and unifying families. I became the director of an anti-poverty program serving those in need within my community. However, I realized that my calling extended beyond administrative duties. Fueled by a desire to make a difference in the lives of women, I established a women's group dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the next generation of girls. Years later, upon returning to my hometown, I found the pervasive grip of poverty remained a stark reality, reminding me of the uphill battle San Antonio women and children faced. I mentored and taught women to embrace their uniqueness, uplifting them on the journey to self-love and self-care. I encouraged them to do the same for other women and children. I shared examples of how to stand up against injustices affecting families and emphasized the significance of family bonds, cultural identity, and celebrating heritage to honor roots and create a sense of belonging. One such example was when a father and child drowned trying to cross the border in Brownsville, Texas. I encouraged other women to pray at the site of their tragic deaths, shedding light on the struggles of those seeking a better life. In addition to standing up for injustices, I mentored and taught women the importance of passing down values to future generations through private workshops, where we cooked traditional foods and shared ancestral values, traditions, and beliefs. Even after retirement, I felt compelled to bring women together to address the needs of women and children in San Antonio. "Circulo de Chispas" was born, a grassroots initiative aiming to ignite hope and resilience within every woman it touched. As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the blessings that have allowed me to give back, uplift, and inspire. "Give more than you take" remains my guiding principle—a testament to the journey I've walked and the paths I've cleared for others.