TWW - Louisville Member Spotlight "DACA" - Meet Alma

My name is Alma. I was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, moved to Cd. Juarez in 1995, then to Lafayette, GA, in October 2001, and have lived in Louisville KY since Dec 2004. I'm a single mom to a beautiful (every mom says the same, I know) 3 year old. I had a nice childhood. We didn't have much, but my parents made sure I had everything I needed to succeed in my studies.

I finished my engineering degree at the Technical Institute of Chihuahua, then moved to Cd Juarez (border town with El Paso, TX) to work at the maquiladora (a factory in Mexico run by a foreign company that exports its products to the company's country of origin.) first, as a technician, then, as an industrial engineer. Due to the increase in violence with the drug cartels, I decided to move here to the US, I found a job at a small company in Dalton, GA. I was then promoted and moved to Louisville, KY. 

The moment I arrived to Louisville, I fell in love with the city. I think because I finally felt free. Back in Georgia, many people were not very receptive to diversity, In 2009 the company closed its doors and I found myself kind of lost because I had totally dedicated myself to the company. My mom encouraged me to be on my own and start to work by myself, It was the best advice ever. I have met the most amazing people ever and I also found my new family, my dearest friends.

How has your life /thoughts changed since 11/8?
My life is somehow the same. However, I live in constant fear of being the target of some sort of aggression fueled by racism and misogyny. I'm particularly worried that my daughter, who is 3 years old, is present. I was asked by an Hispanic Organization to make sure I have a contingency plan for me and my daughter in case immigration gets hold of me. That includes granting legal power of attorney so my daughter gets in the right hands until my fate is decided. My thoughts mostly are: what happened? why and how is this possible in this country? It is very disappointing because I expected better from the people in this country. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that a Trump presidency was possible.


How has being part of Together We Will helped you?
This group gives me hope because I know that we (immigrants) are not completely alone. Also it keeps me and my friends informed about the different events happening in this area.


How are you feeling?
I'm not going to lie. I am very stressed, I'm a single mom and Hispanic. My closest family member (my sister) lives in Georgia; however, I am surrounded by a great circle of friends,. At the end of the day I'm always grateful because we are safe. I'm still hopeful. I knew that after Jan 20th, 2017 - that before it gets better it's going to get worse. It always happens when a big social shift is about to begin. Sometimes the change doesn't happen as fast as I would wish.


What do you feel is the importance of diversity in social movements?
The different backgrounds and life experiences give strength and perspective.


How do you plan to stay politically active during the trump era?

I do as much as I can through different Hispanic organizations. We as an immigrant community would love to participate in the open more, but because we feel we are targets we don't engage and do as much as we would like to do.

What are your top three concerns post election?

- Our safety as Hispanic community
- Discrimination towards my daughter
- ACA cancellation, because I know a lot of young people that have benefited from this program and their hopes are being shattered in the most cruel way possible

What have you found too be the most effective tool in effecting change so far?
Talking to small groups of people at churches and organizations is the only way to show who we and what we are going through, and to put a face with it.

How are you managing stress?
You know, since the election have cried a lot, I try to remember Hillary's concession speech because it gives me hope for me and my daughter. It give gives me peace to know that my little one is loved by so many people and that nothing bad is going to happen to her. I try to keep myself as busy as possible. I'm not a very religious person, but since Jan 20th of this year I pray that every day is, you know, the last day of the Trump presidency -- even though the damage he has caused so far- to this country and the world is going to take maybe a generation to heal.