Virgen Guadalupe holds a lot of cultural and spiritual significance in my family. I grew up Catholic and her spiritual guidance has always traveled with me. Growing up in the streets of East Los Angeles, I would see murals of this image all around me. She is one of the most loved figures in all of Mexico. In fact, she is known as the "Virgen Morena de Mexico" (The dark-skinned Virgen of Mexico), a figure that is suppose to reflect the indigenous roots of Mexico and its people. Many immigrants wear necklaces with her image imprinted on them and will pray to her when crossing the border and once in the United States. In December, we celebrate her presence and bring flowers to her alter to celebrate all the good that she has done in this world. When I decided to go to Yale, she was one of the figures that I brought with me because she has always been there for my family and I. She is not only a reminder of my culture, she is also my protector, regardless where I am living or where I find myself in life. 

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