I’m an 18-year-old graduate of King Drew Medical Magnet High School. On Aug. 19, I will begin my service in the United States Navy, where I plan to earn my bachelor’s degree in biomedicine. My goal is to attend graduate school and become a physician assistant specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Throughout high school, I was deeply involved in the Women’s Leadership Project, starting as a freshman presenting to other freshmen an experience that was extremely out of my comfort zone, but helped me grow into the mentor and advocate that I now am. WLP taught me the importance of addressing the common struggle of being misunderstood and allowed me to be part of building a bridge toward better understanding within my community. I presented to students, teachers, staff, and even my counselor, which helped me realize that the issues people face are not just about age, race, gender or sexual orientation, but are rooted in systemic inequality. Through my time in WLP, I’ve gained the confidence to speak up and stay true to myself, no matter the circumstance.

The post Lorraine Hansberry Humanist Scholarship Awardee: Kaysea Duarte appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.