Mothers Everywhere

    Today is mothers day; a day when mothers are, deservedly,  given thanks and appreciation for everything they do and all the advice that they give. Mothers everywhere, no matter what social class they be a part of, are recognized on this day.
    As I discussed in my Junior Theme, once someone is born into the lower class it is hard to escape it,  especially when you are raised by a single-parent, particularly a mother. However, we should recognize that while doing so is difficult, it is not impossible. Just take Angelica Gonzalez, as described in this article, as an example. She and her brother were raised by their mother, who did not attend college (putting her at a disadvantage in today's society). She provided income to the family by working constantly. Today, she continues to work as a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas. Because of the society that we live in, it may be surprising to hear that this woman's daughter, Angelica Gonzalez, is now a professor at Yale University and a scientist in the field of tissue engineering.
    As explained by Gonzalez, " My mother may not know the ins and outs of academia, but she taught me the essential ingredients needed to make it as a scientist in a white, male-dominated field." It seems that people who live in the lower class are underestimated, as if they can not teach the same values as people living on the upper class. Clearly, this is not at all a fair generalization to make. She may not be college-educated, but Gonzalez's mother is skilled in interacting with others, has a great sense of humor, is determined, and very creative ("she can sew, crochet, paint, cook, sculpture, and do woodworking and metalworking"). Although her profession may not seem at all similar to a blackjack dealer, Gonzalez uses these skills that she learned from her mother in her everyday life at work as a professor, as well.
     Angelica Gonzalez has a story that is not often heard from people coming from the lower class. When (and how), if ever, will our society get to a place where stories like Gonzalez's are not rare?