Silent Strength: A Black Deaf Woman’s Quest For Knowledge

Life is a journey and each of us has had times of beauty, rest, and celebration. Yet each of us has likely experienced our share of pain, struggle, and change – my story is about that journey. My journey to become who I am today was fraught with challenges, hardships, and financial struggles that nearly derailed my ambitions. Obtaining my doctoral degree was a personal, professional, and spiritual goal – I felt compelled to become one of the few Deaf people in the US to earn my Ph.D. Despite my efforts to secure funding through loans and scholarships, I often struggled whether I should continue or should I be “content” with my current achievements. Yet I found inspiration in my relationship with God and His Word, Isaiah 40:31, which speaks of renewed strength and perseverance. I navigated difficult choices and moments of doubt and darkness ultimately finding the determination to push through adversity. Who thought obtaining my degree would teach me so much more about myself – this chapter in my life reflects on those experiences and the resilience they fostered in me.