My name is Gabby Guzman. I was born and raised in a small town called Tamaulipas, in Mexico. I am the youngest of four siblings. I am very close to my mother, who spent her life serving others.

As a nurse and the family provider, she is always willing to make someone’s day better, especially those who are less fortunate. She would from time to time let me choose who and how we could make someone’s day better as we walked to the bank or did other errands.

She would then either give me money to hand to a mother with children who only spoke dialect or make breakfast in the morning and take me to hand it to a man who couldn’t walk. Sometimes she would let me spend 10–15 minutes to eat with him on the sidewalk.

I learned very early on that background didn’t matter, that where they were from didn’t matter. We are all humans; we all need to feel loved and know how much we all matter. However, while I was allowed and encouraged to do, I was a very shy girl with no friends; my main interactions with girls my age were my cousins. Due to our culture, I was taught that girls should mainly stay quiet, and I experienced a somewhat oppressed life. I got picked on because I was not “smart” enough, I had a beauty mark on my face, and I was short and skinny.

One of the reasons I feel blessed and excited to be a part of US-Empowered Girls is to help shape girls’ and young women’s lives by offering a safe place of support and care. I know what it means to feel the need to be heard, to be seen in your uniqueness, and to raise your voice to encourage other girls who aren’t able to speak, as I was unable to speak. There is more than one way to get through life, and there is always an opportunity to be the change that we want and need to see.

My Quote,
“Do not be afraid, I repeat DO NOT be afraid to take any opportunity life presents to you as it might be the only time life will put it in front of you. Take the risk, and if it ‘doesn’t work out’ you have at least gained knowledge and experience.”