After witnessing and experiencing how inequality's many manifestations prohibit the achievement of personal growth, socioeconomic mobility, and access to America's justice system, I became a lawyer so I could serve communities and individuals impacted by such injustices—such as veterans. In particular, my commitment to work with veterans resulted from listening to family and friends reflect upon the unique challenges they encountered when their service concluded and they returned home. Often times they experienced emotional trauma, sustained life-changing physical injuries, and confronted discrimination while searching for work and housing. In addition, they found navigating the VA's bureaucracy cumbersome and confusing.

Listening to my loved ones reflect upon their experiences taught me that such obstacles prevent veterans from receiving the benefits and services they are entitled to and hinders their obtainment of happiness and personal security—essential elements of the American Dream they served to protect. Seeing such injustices drew me to Legal Aid Chicago's EJA Veterans Rights Fellowship because Legal Aid Chicago provides crucial legal services that mitigate the obstacles veterans face and help veterans acquire the American Dream's promises that could otherwise escape their grasp.

Prior to working as an EJA Fellow with Legal Aid Chicago, I interned at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the summer and fall of 2018 respectively. In these roles, I served workers who experienced workplace discrimination or unfair labor practices by listening to their experiences, helping them understand their statutory rights, and working with them to navigate each agencies' opaque processes so they could vindicate their legal rights. Through my work at the NLRB and EEOC I further witnessed inequality's pervasive impact and how it can bar one from acquiring greater opportunity and make it impossible to escape poverty's cyclical effects.

These experiences further cemented by commitment to serve and work with people that are vulnerable to inequality and its consequences. In turn, I am excited to continue this work as an EJA Fellow at Legal Aid Chicago and look forward to advocating for veterans by ensuring they receive legal representation that helps them acquire the services and benefits they need to achieve the happiness and personal stability they desire and deserve.