hidden hero speech

Opening statement & Question

Before I begin, I want to preface by asking what does a hidden hero mean to you? Whenever I think of a hidden hero, I think of someone who has impacted your life without seeking public approva or praise. I believe, my mother, Azucena, is my hidden hero. She has overcome barriers to provide me with anything I needed, motivated me to pursue my dreams, and loved my siblings and me without seeking anything in return. 

story

My mother didn’t have a typical childhood growing up. As young as 10 years old, she learned to care for her siblings old, and was in charge of household duties including cooking meals, hand-washing laundry, and foraging food. Growing up in a small village in Mexico in the late 1900s, there were little to no financial or human resources in her town. Therefore her mother, my grandma, had migrated to Mexico City to work and support her family from a distance. Shortly after, my mom was rehoused and lived with her grandma, but was neglected until her siblings and her fled to the United States in the early 2000s. Given her inexperience and lack of knowledge about physical wellness, she had my oldest brother at 15 and me at 19 years old. Despite the odds stacked against her, my mother never made it an excuse to abandon us and not care for us.

Statistic

In 2007, the year I was born, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “The birth rate for teenagers aged 15-19 rose to 42.5 births per 1,000 women,” and this number has dropped to 11.17 births per 1000 women in 2025.

quote

Every time my mom wants to warn me about committing similar mistakes as she did, she always says“ Work hard, study hard, so one day, you won’t end up like me.” But the truth is, I strive to be even an ounce as resilient and courageous as she is. To love, care, and keep fighting as she does. 

conclusion

My mother may not wear a cape or fly but her love is able to every crevice of my heart. If anything, my mom's superpower is that she is able to turn hardship into hope and sacrifices into opportunities. Sometimes heroes aren’t found in movies or social media; they’re found in the women who refuse to give up on their children. Thank you.