Mocha Girl on a Mission: Maria Diaz

Obstacles I’ve Overcome…

Growing up, I didn’t have many dreams or hopes for my future.  At a young age I had to overcome many obstacles that the average child didn’t have to face.  I grew up in a single parent home with two younger siblings. My mother worked 2 to 3 jobs to provide for her children. Not once did she complain or take her anger out on the world.  At a very young age I had to become an adult in order to help my mom. I had to learn how to cook, clean and care for my younger siblings. I became my mother’s right hand. There was a point in time that my mother started to get really sick and she was in and out of hospitals. I had to stay strong for my little brother and sister. I had to make sure that the three of us were going to be okay.  My mother always did the best she could and always found a way to put food on our table.

At school, I would see how other children had a mommy and daddy and nice houses.  Deep down inside, I wanted to be like them. I wanted to be “normal”.  I wanted to have the nice shoes and nice toys like very one else. But I couldn’t. 

My Greatest Accomplishment…

I am proud to say that my greatest accomplishment to date, is being the first in my family to graduate from college and enroll into graduate school. I will never forget the day I walked across that stage and all the thoughts that came to mind. The same little broken girl that didn’t have any dreams for her future, had accomplished the unthinkable. I dedicated my college graduation to my mother. The woman that never gave up on me even when I wanted to give up on myself. Now I can dream big and move forward! Everyday is a new day and a new accomplishment!   

 I’m a Mocha Girl on a Mission because…

Despite what I’ve been through, I persevered and I’m chasing after my goals! During the tough times, I had a lot of anger in my heart and I found negative ways to relieve my pain. I started hanging out with the wrong people and started making poor decisions.  However, the day I accepted Christ into my life, was the day that I let the pain go. He set my free from my depression, anger and not being able to forgive people that hurt me in my past. The scripture that always speaks to my heart is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,  “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give hope and a future.”

Congratulations Maria! We celebrate you and your accomplishments. Keep up the great work Mocha Girl!

Would you like to nominate an exceptional young woman who’s living dynamically despite adversity? Click here to submit your nomination!