September 08, 2015

A Footprint In Impervious Sand…Not my Legacy

September 08, 2015/ LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede

By Ivette Villa, Former Fellow

Some say actions speak louder than words. Out of mere curiosity I wanted to challenge this. How could it be that words were not strong enough? People often overlook the power of words until they reach an overall under-appreciation for them. Words have gained a reputation of settling at the bottom or being whisked away by silence. I believe differently. The power of my words is equally potent as the power of my hands. With my hands, I am able to set an example for others to follow. With my words, I am able to look people in their eyes and influence their perspectives.

Being surrounded by people who know the worth and appreciation of both their actions and words inspires me to keep facing obstacles and questioning clichés. A community that is formed from integrity and respect motivates me to fight for who I am. LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede and my mentors leave footprints for me to fill with pieces of myself in this world. It is a community whose events help mold me into a person who not only looks out for my own particular blissful future, but also, who wants to help others accomplish the same. I did not join LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede simply for their support or for their guidance. I joined because the people involved put forth the example of what leadership is and how to speak with power. When I talk to my mentors and LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede members at meetings and events, their words carry weight, pushing me towards my dreams, making me believe in myself and in my cause.

I believe in a time of change - a time where both our actions and our words walk together and mark footprints, which will remain, rooted in our lives, rather than washed away.

“Sí, Se Puede” is a phrase born of farmworkers, who, under the leadership of the UFW, César Chávez, and Dolores Huerta, fought valiantly for equal protection under the law. As a result of the efforts of the UFW, “Sí, Se Puede” has become well known as a call that engenders hope and inspiration in those who face similar battles. We thank the UFW, whom we acknowledge to be the sole and exclusive owner of the Trademark SI SE PUEDE, for granting us a limited license to use“Sí, Se Puede” in connection with our efforts to recruit, in Colorado, students of Hispanic or Latino descent for our law school pipeline program. For more information about the programs offered by the UFW, please see UFW’s webpage (www.ufw.org); UFW Foundation’s webpage (www.ufwfoundation.org); and UFWF’s immigration services webpage (www.sisepuede.org)