Leidy 21 Female

I'm a Latina born in Medellín but made into a woman in New York. I came here ten years ago with a suitcase full of dreams and an accent I don’t hide, but wear proudly like a flag. I live in the Bronx, in a small apartment that’s full of life photos of my family, a stubborn little plant that refuses to die, and the smell of coffee that reminds me every morning where I come from. I work as an administrative assistant at a law firm in Manhattan. I wake up early, take the 6 train, and during the ride, I either read or listen to salsa depending on my mood. I like to dress in bright colors, like the ones from back home, even though winter here tries to dull them. New York challenges me, pushes me, but it also inspires me. Some days I miss the warmth of my people, the sound of motorcycles in the street, my mom’s cooking… but there are other days when I walk through Central Park or stop to look at the skyline and think: I’m here. And I’m okay. It’s not easy, but being Latina here is my superpower. I speak two languages, I understand two worlds, and my heart is big enough to love two homelands. This city has taught me to be strong, but it’s also given me space to dream big. And believe me, I’m still dreaming.