My Culture

Individuals...we are multifaceted and many parts make a whole.  Part of my being is female. This consists of daughter, sister, friend and mother.  All are important and have helped mold me into the person I am today. My experience varies in each of those relationships; however, it is through  the challenges, acceptance and love of others that we become who we are.




Not only being female but being a white female, fortunately or unfortunately, has an advantage in our society. Unfortunately being a divorced, white female has another set of challenges economically and socially. I am keenly more aware of this through aging, experience and studies.  I am grateful yet saddened that we live in a world where we truly do not treat others with equality.  One can only hope that each individual fighting for what is good for everyone will eventually make a difference in the wage discrimination between women and men and also in the way we treat those who have different cultures, beliefs and ethnicities than our own.

Being outdoors, you learn so much about yourself, others and the beauty around you. If a person can be an athlete at my age, then yes, I am an athlete. Running brings me into a place of peace and stress reduction; it can be done with a community or alone.  I also love tennis; it is relational, competitive and also a place of release from the stressors of life.  The love of running and tennis provides relationships and exposure to others that I might not otherwise have.

My faith is the foundation of who I am. It drives me to have more gratitude, compassion,  empathy and  love for others and self.  It is the glue that keeps me together when situations can appear as hopeless, painful, and often times impossible.  It is a place of grace and mercy and love for others regardless of our differences.  I believe it is the backbone of my desire to see positive changes for others through community service.  Quite often I am the one who reaps more than I sow.





Reading has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember.  It is another dimension of who I am and who I am becoming: a culture of readers.  It opens up a world to your imagination, exposure to other ways, ideas and cultures.  It is a tool to stepping outside of egocentric thinking and remaining open and responsive to new attitudes, ideas and beliefs that differ from your own. I belong to a book club and it is a culture of women who share diverse ideas and philosophies on life. We share this common love of reading and learning from others.

Being stretched and challenged is a component of who I am as a student.  The environment and diverse culture of the University of Texas allows me to encounter those of like mind and those whose opinions vary greatly. It is place to learn respect for a community of students who have their own unique culture and who add vast knowledge to my limited and unlimited experiences.