Support Alanis's Journey to Harvard Doctorate

A statistic published by Excelencia in Education noted that as of 2021, only 1% of Latinas attained a doctoral degree. (For more see: https://www.edexcelencia.org/pdf-Latinas_at_Hispanic-Serving_Institutions as well as https://www.calonews.com/featured-topics/education/the-real-1-latinas-with-doctoral-degrees-break-barriers-in-higher-education/article_bcb6a924-3f2d-5dd5-9a20-794f521f9a3c.html#:~:text=About%208%%20of%20Latinas%20earned%20a%20master's,a%20study%20published%20by%20Excelencia%20in%20Education.)

With my recent acceptance to the Harvard Doctoral Program in Classics, I am excited and above all, honored, to become part of this 1% and to become a part of a larger group of people who are pushing to further the accessibility of educational resources in Latinx communities. As I enter this new stage of my life, however, I have become increasingly aware of why it is that only 1% of Latinas have doctoral degrees. Throughout my first year as a research fellow at Harvard, amidst all the late night studying, application filling, and interview practicing, my financial situation has become increasingly more precarious, especially given the cost of living in the Cambridge/Boston area. I was lucky enough to find a studio close to campus that I could afford using my monthly stipend, but even with the assistance of the university, I am still short the $2000 dollars to drive the U-Haul with the majority of belongings that I hope to bring with me to establish my life in Cambridge. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for someone like me; I have been blessed not only with a wonderful educational opportunity, but my first year as a research fellow has gifted me with a life-changing community, one which I have truly become at home in. With my family also facing a time-sensitive move, I am faced with what seems like the last large hurdle before I can begin the journey which I have dreamed of for years. (It may come as a surprise and perhaps seem dull, but all I have ever wanted is to sit with my cat practicing Greek and Latin and redrafting potential publications). With this in mind, I am reaching out to ask for any help you might be able to offer me, so that I may set up my new home in Cambridge. Your help will allow the little girl from Chicago to become part of her own little 1%. Thank you.