Student Development hosted the third Story Space of the semester, theming it to celebrate March as Women’s History Month. Students attending could grab pizza and drinks, and sit down in the Multicultural Center to share stories of the women that impacted, inspired, and empowered them the most.

Students that voluntarily participated could receive a prize from Student Development; small notebooks, bags, and bottles were available. Many students talked about their mothers and grandmothers while others spoke of teachers and other female figures in their lives that made a positive impact.

One Stockton student talked about her high school Medical Assistant teacher who cared deeply about each of her students and helped her gain more experience in the field. “She let me go three days straight to volunteer at a school to take their vital signs, height, hearing. She encouraged me and helped me choose Stockton.”

Another student talked about her mother who had her at 18 years old, with her siblings following shortly after. “[She got] pregnant with twins and she was still doing school with me [around],” the student said. “She went back to school with my younger [twin] brothers, and got certified in phlebotomy. Even as she was eight months pregnant, she put up a crib by herself, bookshelves by herself, even rearranging our rooms to make sure the twins would fit.”

The other attendees were very impressed with her mother’s independence and resilience. She also works as a DSP (Direct Support Professional). “She advocates for her clients, and if she feels like something’s not right in the company, she’ll report it,” the student proudly stated.

Another student spoke about her late aunt, Dolores, who raised her throughout her childhood, and her grandmother. She said, “I feel like grandparents raise you on borrowed time, versus your parents, who are able to keep up with you more.” The other attendees agreed strongly, nodding at the statement.

She talked about how these female figures supported her accomplishments and events at school, and taught her important skills, such as paying bills and doing chores at a young age. She expressed how she was very grateful for the education, especially after her aunt and grandmother passed and she started going out into the world as an adult.

The conversation also included great appreciation for grandparents and how their wisdom and experience can make a difference in future generations’ lives. Parth Thakkar, who hosted the event, stated, “They went through [harder] times than our parents and [us]. I feel that talking about them and appreciating them…it seems right.” He then spoke about his grandmother, who had six children, giving way to a large family. He expressed disappointment in not having enough time with his grandmother, who died of Parkinson’s Disease when he was a child, but shared the memories he had of her.

“She never complained about what she was going through. She kind of took it like a champ and showed strength rather than showing weakness,” Thakkar said. “The only way I can learn about how she was before she was diagnosed is through my parents, my uncle, my aunt.”

He told attendees about how his grandmother endured the uncertainty of poverty while raising six children, retaining her strength throughout. He then joked about how his grandfather was more lenient than his grandmother; his grandfather would spoil his children, but his grandmother was very strict, making sure her children would never grow up spoiled.

All of the stories highlighted the resilience of women, and was a way to bring Women’s History Month to a close.

The next Story Space will be on Wednesday, April 15 at 4:30 PM in the Multicultural Center.