Community engagement has always been a part of who I am. My mother taught me early on to stand up—even if I was the only one standing. Long before I ever considered law school, I was drawn to service, to speaking out, and to standing with those whose voices too often go unheard.

As the daughter of a single mother, the first U.S.-born citizen in my family, and a proud queer woman, I’ve carried the weight—and the strength—of multiple identities. I didn’t come from wealth, but I made the most of every opportunity. What I lacked in resources, I made up for with determination. Those early experiences didn’t just shape my values—they gave me tools for resilience, empathy, and purpose.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is this: any privilege I gain must be used to open doors for others. That doesn’t change now that I’m on the bench. As a judge, I remain deeply rooted in the community that raised me. The work doesn’t end in the courtroom—it continues in our neighborhoods, in our shared spaces, in every chance to give back.

The photos you see aren’t just snapshots—they’re proud moments. They remind me that my journey has led to a place where I can help shift power and uplift others. And that’s exactly what I intend to keep doing—because justice doesn’t live in isolation. It lives in community.