This Women’s History Month, MCC’s Youth Congress members are spotlighting the women that have made a meaningful impact on their lives. To see their full stories, read below!

Latreace, YC Member

“Two beautiful angelic women, Ms. B. Lockett & Ms. T. Buckner were the additions to my life I didn’t prepare for nor see coming. Sent to me in such a difficult period of my life where I questioned everything. The love, comfort, and strength they consistently wavered surrounding me has always been what I’ve seen since the beginning. Throughout times of sadness, doubt, happiness, and blurred chaos they’ve remained dear to my side, helping me through each stage with no demands, just hopefulness of my success. They are a constant reminder to me that you can’t always choose your family, but surely you can create your own! 

To My Bonus Mothers: I want to thank you both FOR EVERYTHING! You both form the glue to a strong foundation; never letting such a young, hurt, but determined adolescent seem difficult to help or work with. Thank you for your patience, love, care, tenderness… I can’t express it in words more than my actions but the world will know each time, it was you two that paved me to a gracefully positive path. I love you both dearly & forever!”

McKenzie, YC Member 

“I would like to dedicate this Women’s History Month to a very special person in my life.  My grandma Jana has been the biggest supporter I could ever ask for. She has helped me countless times and I am forever grateful for it. I know whenever I need to just vent or talk to someone she is there for me. I will forever be grateful for her. She took me in as a baby and has helped me ever since.”

Hannah, YC Member

“My grandma Sandra is honestly one of the strongest people I have ever known. She has never stayed quiet when it comes to women’s rights. If something is unfair she speaks up, no hesitation. She has always believed that women deserve the same respect, pay, and opportunities as anyone else, and she actually does something about it. Growing up watching her, I learned that standing up for yourself is not rude or dramatic. It is necessary.

She even ran for state representative because she wanted to be part of the change instead of just talking about it. Before that she was president of her local union, which shows how much people trusted her leadership. Being in charge like that is not easy, but she handled it with strength and confidence. Even now, as she has gotten older, she still shows up to protests when she can. If she cannot attend, she donates to campaigns she believes in. She has never stopped caring.

What makes her story even more meaningful is that she was raised poor. She did not grow up with money or connections. She had to work hard for every opportunity she got. Instead of letting her background limit her, she used it as motivation. She took every chance to grow, learn, and improve her life. That determination is something I really admire about her.

When I was put into foster care at eleven years old, she stepped up and raised me. She became my safe place and my stability during one of the hardest times in my life. She did not have to take me in, but she did, and she did it with love. Everything she has fought for in the world, she also fought for in me. I would not be the person I am today without her, and I am forever grateful for that.”

Maxx, YC Member

“My honorable woman is my Nana. She is so incredible, and I am so thankful to have her in my life. I want to share with you guys why she’s so wonderful, and why I’m so lucky to call her my grandma.

          She is a very selfless and thoughtful woman. She puts others first, their safety and needs. She has been there for my family in financial hardship, more so that we had a necessity we could not acquire and she made sure we could, and I am so appreciative. When my great grandpa on my mom’s side passed last year, she gave us the ability to get funeral clothes. She didn’t have to, but she did.

         She is incredibly hardworking. She works two jobs, and she makes sure they are done efficiently, and she is good at what she does! Even after she has had surgeries, she gets right back on her feet when she can and works. I aspire to have such a persistent work ethic.

         My Nana has the ability to brighten a room with smiles. Everytime I step in her house and see her, I get a smile I can’t wipe off my face and I’m super eager to see her. I have a goofy grin just writing this right now.

         She has ALWAYS loved me. She has always wanted me. And that means a lot to me. My birth mom (not the one mentioned earlier) had stepped away at a part of my life I needed her the most, but my Nana welcomed me back in my dad’s family with loving arms.

          She is family oriented. Family comes first. Over the summer, she does big BBQ dinners with the whole family, and we just hang out. I appreciate this about her because I’m very family oriented too.

           She’s a mom, a daughter, a grandma, a coworker, and most of all, a superhero. I love her so much, and as I’m sure you’d all agree, she deserves to be honored this month! 

(Love you Nana!)”

Melissa, YC Member

“Kellee was the first person who came into my life who I felt genuinely loved and cared about me. I worked with many clinicians, but none of them could help me like she did. I call her mama Kellee.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, and she found me through her organization’s partnership Big Brother/Big Sister when I was 10. She raised me, just like I was her child. She taught me how to work hard, to do things the right way, to have confidence, and what it takes to persevere through the hard things. She even introduced me to college by taking me with her to her college classes when I would get in trouble at school and by taking me to college graduations. When I graduated from Saint Louis University last May, she came. It meant so much to me that even though I am no longer a child, she still loves me and supports me even with her crazy busy life. If you are on the fence about becoming a mentor, do it! You never know the impact you are making, even if you don’t see the impact in the moment.”

Wyatt, YC Member

“Heres my girlfriend Annn we just celebrated our 6 month anniversary in the 7th of this month. She is always there for me and anyone else in need of help and she’s probably one of the funniest people I have met and I am so grateful for her.”

“This here is my biological mother Megan she is currently recovering from some strokes she had about 2 years ago. She is such a strong and loving person and is my inspiration along with my girlfriend to have a reason to get up and keep going everyday. I love her so much.”