“The Woody and Louise Reed Bridge to Life Scholarship has helped me immensely; I cannot express my gratitude enough. I am a single mother, and I have worked incredibly hard to not only survive, but to heal from the trauma that we have endured. I have learned a lot about myself to be able to give my daughters the privilege of knowledge, wisdom, and guidance; and the Woody and Louise Reed Bridge to Life Scholarship has played a big role in helping me and my daughters continue to succeed. I not only consider myself to be raising two daughters, but I am mothering a revolution. Again, we are so grateful for the aid and I am determined to keep myself and my daughters on a path of resilience and success.”

She is currently attending California State University Dominguez Hills and has been attending college for the past ten years.

Raquel is majoring in Women’s Studies and will be graduating May 2021. By the end of this year, she will be applying for Ph.D. programs in Gender Studies as well. She is pursuing a career in the professoriate; a Women’s Studies professor.