"The Rise of Her"

Artistic statement

I want my work to be able to bring back memories or sentiments of comfort, hope, inspiration, or resiliency in the readers. Machismo, rigid gender norms, and sexism were constants in my life as a Guatemalan-American woman. This particular writing serves as a reminder that a woman's value or purpose does not exclusively revolve around getting married and starting a family. Not only males but also women, may achieve professional success and occupy powerful positions. I make an effort to include feminism and female empowerment in my work.

Keyly Sandoval

Keyly Jasmine Sandoval is a Junior at Cal State University Northridge where she is majoring in Family and Consumer Science. She is a Family Studies Option doing Childcare and Administration with a minor in Gender and Women Studies. She is a first-generation college student and a proud daughter of immigrants. She volunteers at the food/toiletry pantry located on campus at the Women’s Research and Resource Center. She is also the President of The F Word which is a feminist club/organization that supports all genders having equal rights and opportunities on campus. She is also a peer mentor to first-generation college students who are in the Educational Opportunity Program.

Beware of the little girl within her

She is coming for their crown

She is coming for their throne

Taking control when others thought she couldn’t

Becoming the king of the world

Doing it for the little girls who walk past liquor stores on their way home from school

This is for little girls who live in unsafe communities

This is for little girls with big dreams that will change the future of the world