I’m not sure grandpa R finished HS. But he was an avid reader, and even wrote some memoir-style short stories, egged on my mom. Both his kids attended college. My mom became an architect.
1/n

Growing up, I would see the letters and packages grandpa sent my mom. All of them were addressed to “Arquitecta [mom’s name]”. I thought it was rather pompous.
It took me years to understand this was a man who was beyond proud of his college-educated daughter
#firstgen 2/n

Grandpa passed before I finished college, way before he could see his only grandkid become a PhD.
I like to think about the letters he would have sent to Dr. Daniela Arias Rotondo. And how proud he would have been of his last name in mine.
3/n

I’m not sure there’s a big point to be made on this thread. But you know what? Rock that title. Because it’s the result of the work and sacrifice of generations.
#firstgen #WomenInSTEM #LatinxinSTEM