I had my daughter when I was young, 18. Even as a young mother I knew education was very important. I grew up in Pawtucket, and I started researching what schools I should send my daughter to. I am a product of the Pawtucket school system, they failed me, and I’m her mother. Nothing has changed since I was in the same school system my daughter attended. I tried looking into private schools and even with financial aid, me and her father couldn’t afford to send her there.

I’m first generation in this country. When my parents came to this country, they trusted the school system blindly. They worked hard, and they became home owners, and opened two restaurants. When I graduated from high school, I couldn’t even write an essay. I applied my daughter to charter schools for 9 years, and she sat on waitlists year after year. She finally will be attending her school of choice for high school. It has been a long journey.