THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND CALIFORNIA
MARCH 2023
ISSUE 118
VOLUME 10
March is National Women’s History Month and this year’s theme is, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Women have played a key role in passing on stories and heritage throughout history and in doing so, have helped shape and maintain our connections with our past. I would like to take this opportunity to share a bit of my story.
I wake up each day, focusing on the good in this world and I choose to contribute to that goodness. I use my voice and share my story full of vulnerability, courage, and pride with the hope that you will use your voice to do the same. And in doing so you will help shine a light for those in journeys similar to ours.
I am the daughter of a first-generation immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico, raised in the Central Valley working alongside my mom harvesting cantaloupes and tomatoes during my summer vacations from school. Those hot summers in the fields taught me to appreciate everything I had and showed me that I wanted to do something with my life to give back to my community.
On Mar. 8, we proudly recognized International Women’s Day with the theme for this year being “Embrace Equity.” The purpose of this theme is to understand the importance of equitable action and recognizing that each person, regardless of gender, has different circumstances and therefore allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. This ties in perfectly with the work that we do in our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Staff Workgroup, which advances WestCare’s commitment to building the most welcoming, affirming, and inclusive organization for our clients, communities, and workforce.
I graduated with a degree in criminology and a degree in Chicano studies and began my career as a domestic violence advocate. For the first 14 years of my career, my focus was working primarily with women. I saw myself and my mother in the women that I worked with. I related with their struggles and worked alongside them to help seek their power and ability to overcome the obstacles they were facing. I have dedicated my entire career to empowering others. It is through empowerment that I find my purpose. In my 22+ years of service, I have celebrated countless successes as well as losses, both professionally and personally. Through it all, I have persevered. Since 2010, I have battled debilitating depression and anxiety after burying one of my children. I am a survivor of domestic violence. I have found myself without a home for my children and me. I have lost everything and have had to start over, time and time again. But those circumstances do not define me. The courage and strength passed down from my mother defines me. The love for my children, both here on earth and in heaven defines me. The passion that I have for seeing others thrive defines me.
Mary Ann Knoy Vice President of Administration WestCare California
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