Young Women's Corner: Reaching for the Stars
By Snehal Desai, Presentation High School

For more than a decade, PBWC has inspired and challenged young women to achieve their dreams. To continue the tradition, we invited students from San Jose’s Presentation High School to join our editorial team and tell us about their goals and fears. Girls interested in writing for a future issue or our website can send us their article proposal and we'd be delighted to consider it.

Like most 1st generation Indian Americans, I’ve been brought up to value the educational system in America. Since both of my parents are immigrants from India, I have been taught to take advantage of as many educational opportunities as possible. My parents have always inculcated in me that I am lucky to have such wonderful educational resources available to me, and therefore, I should try my hardest in whatever opportunities I pursue.

Most Indian American children are“expected” to value the prized educational system in America and become successful in the professions of science and mathematics. Although I cherish these educational resources, my hopes and goals go beyond these professions. Instead of healing people through the fields of medicine and technology, I hope to heal people through the field of the liberal arts.

Some day, I hope to go to law school and use my public speaking talents to defend the underprivileged citizens of our society, particularly the minorities. Growing up as the child of immigrant parents, I have experienced some of the hurtful comments from my narrow-minded peers, such as: “You actually think you can make it in politics? You are a woman and a minority…you have absolutely no chance.” Although such caustic comments have discouraged me in the past, I remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt:“Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

I keep my head high and remember that no one has the power to tell me what I can and can’t do. I have the ability to succeed in American government and politics, just like my male Caucasian peers. After going to a private all-girls Catholic high school, my faith in the power of women has grown tremendously. I hope that by the time I retire, there will be more Indian Americans, especially Indian American women, involved in the running and maintenance of the United States of America.

I have had a low self-confidence many times during my childhood due to harsh
comments that repudiated my ability to succeed. However, through my hard work
and determination, I hope to teach all young girls that nothing is impossible, no
matter what race you are a part of.

Snehal Desai is a student at Presentation High School.




PBWC Connections thanks Presentation High School faculty advisory Tara Komar for her generous assistance launching this new section of the magazine. We also salute Adrienne Renner for her ongoing support of PBWC.

As seen in the
Spring 2007 issue of PBWC Connections

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