“Power is in your soul. It is what your ancestors, your old people gave you,” – Winona LaDuke. What gifts did your ancestors give you?
My ancestors gave me music in my soul, the joy of laughter in the darkest of times. They gave me healing hands, a mind for science & the will to fight
Lauren Pratt
Westville NJ
African American & Russian
She/they
I've faced discrimination and racism in academia my entire life, from kindergarten to graduate school and then even in other academic institutions where I've worked. It's disheartening to be expected to be less than when you are greater than. To be resented more for knowing more and to be treated worse for being better. But I will not only continue to be better, I will continue to fight for better equality standards everywhere I go so that other black women who follow may have an easier path to greatness.