Social Media Staffer Iliana Tejada (fourth from left), a sophomore, poses with her family in their house in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on April 9, 2018. Tejada has looked up to the powerful, self-reliant women in her family since she was a little girl. “Although these ladies fought almost every day, it was always caused by their stubbornness and determination to always do everything themselves with no one’s help,” Tejada wrote. “They always gave each other the ‘I’m fine” response, which annoyed all of them knowing they weren’t.’ Photo courtesy of Tatiana Tejada
Social Media Staffer Iliana Tejada reflects on the independent women who raised her.
For the past 15 years, my mom has raised me as a single mother with the help of my extended family. In my eyes, she is the epitome of what a successful, independent woman looks like.
My mother, Tatiana Tejada, is an independent woman who isn’t just my mother, but is a best friend, a coach and more. A mother who cares for and loves people, but will bring chaos the moment someone takes advantage of her baby girl or her family.
But it’s not just her, she comes from the long line of brave women in my family.
Growing up, my house in Athens was filled with strong, independent women. Those women are my tias: Sofia who is 38-years-old, Rosalyn who’s 35, Dalila who’s 21 and my abuelita, Ercilia, who is 58-years-old.
Although these ladies fought almost every day, it was always caused by their stubbornness and determination to always do everything themselves with no one’s help. They always gave each other the “I’m fine” response, which annoyed all of them knowing they weren’t.
From what I can remember, these traits started with my bisabuela, Mama Fia, who is 92. She is the root of all these great, wonderful and powerful women that have passed their feisty, sometimes stubborn, but always caring and loving personalities to my tias, to their kids and ultimately, to me.
If I am ever asked about what my family is like, I am proud to tell them I come from a line of independent women who have taught me to be self-sufficient and to know my worth.
Last summer, my Mama Fia broke her hip trying to get off her bed. However, as an independent woman, she’s had some difficulty accepting the terms of her condition. Before she was healed completely, she began to walk around on her own, although her daughters told her not to. She tried to be dependent on herself, however her stubbornness led her to fall and break her hip again.
Watching her bravely, yet recklessly, work through this difficult time in her life, made me realize I can still be independent while still receiving help.
If I am ever asked about what my family is like, I am proud to tell them I come from a line of independent women who have taught me to be self-sufficient, to know my worth, to respect myself and to stand my ground when I need to.
Despite my father never being in my life, I’ve never mourned the loss of him. My mother and family have shown me that I didn’t need a father to shape me into the young woman I am now, one who can do things herself but knows when to ask for help.
