Mary Lou Reyes

Diversity Statement

LSAC Account No. 35019514

Diversity Statement for Law School admission

I am an XXX-year-old Latina woman living in the US. I was born and brought up in a traditional household in a small town called XXX. My father was undocumented and did not have permanent employment. However, he worked incredibly hard to put food on the table and instill us with traditional values. On the other hand, my mother served as a housewife. From an incredibly tender age, my sisters and I were conditioned to always act like a “lady” and to embrace religious practices. Thus, I grew up as a firm believer with a traditional lifestyle.

Being raised in a traditional family, I followed the steps other women in society took. After graduating from high school, I married my high school boyfriend and gave birth to my beautiful daughter, Aubri. After she was born, I started realizing that women could serve more than just housewives. I decided to set a new example of how a woman should act so I could teach my daughter and other women in the society not to limit themselves to the values that were once set in stone within our society. Therefore, I decided to be the first person in my family to expand my education. I graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a bachelor’s degree in justice administration in addition to many certifications and an Associate’s degree. In the end, I transformed my once very traditional lifestyle into a nontraditional one.

My decision to further my education led to my divorce. As a newly divorced, single mother and a nontraditional student, I had to work twice as hard as those around me. Unlike the younger students, I did not have time to socialize or slack off. I knew very well my daughter depended on me. I paid extra attention and I worked nonstop. At the same time, I balanced going to school and caring for my daughter with a challenging career in the legal field. So far, I have discussed case details with hundreds of clients, taken notes for attorneys at depositions and hearings, investigated injury causations, and monitored court appearances. Raising my daughter while analyzing litigation documents and managing the calendars for attorneys was difficult. Still, I am proud that my daughter has watched a single Latina mother succeed in her field.

My divorce process was not a walk in the park. I faced shucks at the Courthouse. Besides, I encountered many criminal false accusations while handling the custody matter. Custody battles are very painful, and I hope to be able to assist in keeping things real and truthful because it is very important not to hurt someone and their reputation to achieve a malicious gain over one another. However, after a few years of fights, we forgave each other, and to date, we are friends and maintain a cordial relationship with our daughter, who was recently admitted into Covenant School of Nursing.

After 30 years of serving in the legal industry and being the first born and the first person in my family to become a college graduate, I understand the central role of education in providing opportunities and improving people’s lives. I wish to use my studies and life examples to inspire others. While working as a Legal Secretary and Paralegal for several law firms, I have watched language barriers, and financial hurdles get in the way of clients receiving justice. I look forward to using my law degree to be an avid plaintiff’s attorney. As I am passionate about helping low-income clients with their injury and immigration cases, I hope to extend my services to many clients in my community who need them most.

My choice to pursue a Law program is driven by my ambition to positively impact society. I have been through a lot and matured tremendously. Therefore, I believe that I serve as living proof that there is no age limit or timeline when it comes to success and shows other Latina women that anything is possible. My academic and career determinations will carry me through your program and lead me to a career where I can apply my knowledge to improve people’s lives, particularly the disadvantaged. Also, through this prestigious law school, I hope to continue to stray away from a traditional lifestyle and set a good example for my beautiful daughter and other young girls to emulate.