Roots of Hope
September 15 to October 15 marks the national celebration of Latinx Heritage Month. Let us celebrate the cultural, linguistic, and historical diversity of our community.
The morning fog still clung to the streets of Sacramento, but inside the bustling UC Davis Medical Center, Angela was already on her feet, preparing for another long day. For many, the hospital was just a place of care, but for Angela, it was a symbol of everything she had fought for—everything she had dreamed of since leaving her small village in Mexico.
Angela arrived in California as a young girl, full of hope and uncertainty. Her parents, seeking better opportunities, had made the difficult decision to leave behind everything they knew, starting over in a land where they barely spoke the language. They faced countless challenges—financial instability, cultural differences, and the ever-present fear of being misunderstood or overlooked. But Angela never saw them as obstacles. Instead, she saw them as part of a journey—a journey that would shape her into the woman she was becoming.
The hospital was a far cry from her childhood home, but the walls, buzzing with the rhythm of doctors and nurses, always felt like a place of belonging. Angela had spent years working in the medical field, climbing the ranks, one step at a time. She began as a volunteer in the kitchen, later moving to administrative work, and eventually, a coordinator in the patient services department. Her journey wasn’t easy, but each challenge was met with grit, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in her worth.
This year, as Latinx Heritage Month began, Angela found herself reflecting on the legacy of those who had come before her. Her heritage, rich in language, history, and culture, was her foundation. It was the fire that pushed her to keep going when the world seemed to say "no." Her abuela’s stories about their ancestral lands, the laughter around the dinner table as her family shared traditional meals, and the strength of her parents, who taught her that hard work was always worth it—these memories shaped her into the woman who stood today with pride.
She was now part of the diversity that made UC Davis Medical Center a place of healing, not just physically, but culturally. As the hospital celebrated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Angela saw firsthand how important it was for people of all backgrounds to be seen and heard. She often spoke to new immigrant employees who shared stories of their own struggles, reassuring them that they belonged and that their cultural backgrounds were something to be celebrated, not hidden.
Angela smiled as she walked through the hallways, nodding at familiar faces, some of whom spoke in Spanish, others in English, but all carrying stories of their own perseverance. The month of September to October marked more than just a celebration of Latinx heritage—it was a reminder of the strength that came from the community, from the shared resilience of a people who knew what it meant to rise from hardship.
And when Angela stepped into the break room to meet with the interview team, she felt ready to share her story once again. Her journey was not just about overcoming obstacles—it was about honoring where she came from and the future she was building. "Hope," she would say, "is not just a feeling. It's an action. It's how we live, how we love, and how we keep pushing forward, even when the road gets tough."
As Latinx Heritage Month continued, Angela felt her heart swell with pride, knowing that each story, each struggle, and each triumph was a part of something much larger than herself. And it was this very heritage, this deep-rooted culture, that would continue to guide her—just as it had her ancestors before her.
