It’s International Woman’s Day and what better way to honor that day than to tell you about the two remarkable women who helped shape me into who I am today: my mother Carmen and my grandmother Nieves.

My Grandmother Nieves

When I think of my grandmother Nieves I think about all the changes she experienced going from a small aldea in Galicia, Spain to Cuba and then to the United States. It must have taken a lot of courage to leave her family behind and follow her husband to a new country. To find work in that country and build a comfortable life for her family. My grandmother had one child that died as a baby, but then had my mother. She encouraged and supported my mother as she went college. My grandmother also had another very important task: to take care of my sister and myself after my parents were forced to flee Cuba, but had to leave us behind. It would take nearly two years before our family was reunited in the United States. During that time, my grandmother (and grandfather) protected us against Castro’s men in Cuba and then as we traveled through Mexico and various countries in Central America until we were able to come to the United States.

Once we were here, my grandmother was the one who kept our home and watched over us while my mother worked to provide for our family. Nieves was a fabulous cook and a tireless worker. She was always there for us and her strong presence provided comfort and support.

My Mother Carmen

What can I say about a woman who was not only my mother, but my mentor. She always encouraged my sister and me to believe that anything we wanted was possible if we worked hard to achieve our dreams.

In Cuba, my mother worked to bring a better future for her country only to find that dream perverted by a dictator. Realizing that, and knowing her life was in jeopardy in Cuba, she fought to reach the United States and bring her family there because she knew what America represented: Freedom.

Through two years of struggle Carmen managed to reunite her family. After, she supported that family and helped it achieve the American Dream. She believed in that dream and instilled that belief in her daughters. We thrived because of her sacrifices and her determination to see us be independent and successful women.

My mother and grandmother were role models to me, but they also gave me one other amazing gift: a love of reading and books. Both of them were always reading and instilled in me my love of reading which would eventually lead me to my love of writing. It was an amazing gift that I will forever cherish.

Thank you, mom and grandma.