For the last two summers I have worked at the Legal Aid of North Carolina alongside lawyers who provide legal representation for low-income residents throughout the state. Although these lawyers receive little recognition, their work is necessary for the greater good of the state. Recently, I have learned that the Legal Aid foundation is to receive funding cuts that will result in major layoffs and a siphoning of resources away from the residents of North Carolina, who would be unable to afford legal representation otherwise. Witnessing the works these lawyers have done has reinforced my passion to become a public interest lawyer in the state of North Carolina. I want to provide a voice for marginalized groups to ensure equity in the justice system. As a woman of color, I have felt alone in my endeavors toward a career in law. I am one of only three Black students in my pre-law fraternity and often one of the only voices in the classroom to speak on the experiences of marginalized groups. While these experiences have often proved difficult, they have pushed me to become a lawyer who will fight to eradicate the barriers that people of color face in academic and professional settings. I want to translate my own experiences into policy results by way of the law. …show more content…
During my time at UNC, I have obtained valuable skills in my academic and extracurricular experiences that will be useful in the legal profession. While being the only woman of color in academic and social spaces has remained a challenging aspect of my time in school, I know that I will be able to translate my experiences into a rewarding career in the law, one that I will use to ensure that the next generation is a safer and more affirming place for people of color both in North Carolina and across the