We asked some very thoughtful members of our community to reflect on what they’ve learned from their heroes.

Nida Jawed

I have highly idealized high-quality women since I was a child. When I was a teenager, I imagined becoming a high-quality woman, an executive, working in a glass office where girls in the same age group were focused on boys and makeup. The list of these women includes Oprah Winfrey and Lady Diana at the top. I have read their biographies, and their stories have helped me visualize my future. Read more>>

Lindsey Cook

My mom owned a catering business for many years and was riddled with terrible arthritis. One night I came home from work to find her sitting on a stool in the kitchen with a piece of pizza half in her mouth. She was asleep. She had a huge catering job that day and had likely worked for 16 hours. I shook her shoulder and gently tried to take her pizza, “Mom, wake up, let me get you in bed.” To which she replied, “Give me my pizza, I want my pizza”. It was hysterical. Read more>>

Pat Bennett

My heroes are my late mother and father, a New York City elementary school teacher and a dentist, respectively. They instilled in me an undefeated ethic for life. I watched them raise a family while working and helping those in our community. Our house was always a welcoming place for those who needed conversation, a meal or a safe space. They worked tirelessly to provide for our family and to set positive examples for others in need. Read more>>

Andreja Scanland

So my hero would be my father my father came to Canada with my mom many years ago probably 55 years ago and he came to Canada with $20 in his pocket. My dad was a type of person that always made everybody feel. everybody feel like they were so important. He came to Canada with that $20 and built an empire built a name for himself and his family with his recipes with his charisma with his personality and with his charm I mean I’m like that he was always. The host of the community, and he worked hard to get to where he wanted to be, and he taught me to do the exact same thing. Read more>>

Charente Davis

I would have to say I have more than 1 hero and they are my parents. They have shaped and molded me in ways they probably don’t even recognize. Both of my parents are major “Go Getters” they are the type to make something out of nothing and get things done by any means necessary. My mom has always been my ride or die, anytime I’m in need of anything I know I can call on her. Read more>>

Simon Isaza

My hero has always been my father, Gabriel Humberto Isaza. He has always been a hard working and humble man, who has always done everything the right way, the honest way. He has never given up, even after going through multiple tragedies in his life. From managing different businesses/companies to leaving his country in search of a better life for himself and his family. One of the few lessons I learned from him was to always move forward, never backwards even in the darkest of times. As long as you can see the next step in front of you never give up just keep moving forward. Read more>>

Jacaira Crockett

My hero is my father Juan Heredia. He came to this country as an immigrant & landed himself in Boston Massachusetts where I was born and raised. My father has pushed me and supported me in any decision I’ve made wether it be good or bad! This man has showed me what the true definition of hard-work is. He never allowed me to give up always finding other ways to figure out tough situations and having a back up for if things didn’t go as planned. My dad has always been committed to putting his family first& tried providing the most comfortable life he could for us with what he had! Read more>>

Miro Muniz

I have a lot of people who I look up to. Learning lessons, thankfully, is a regular part of my life. I’m surrounded by beautiful and kind people who make me a better person regularly. I’d say my biggest hero is my mother. She is the embodiment of showing love to others and making them feel heard and valued. She has friends from all walks of life, and she never misses an opportunity to provide random acts of kindness. Everyone who knows her has nothing but kind things to say about her, and she constantly makes me want to be a better human. Read more>>