My Lola

Lola and I visiting “The Great Elephant Migration” exhibit in NYC

Zenaida Zarris, or to me, Lola(“Grandma” in Tagalog), is not an immediate member of the RFH community. However, I feel she deserves recognition. Lola lived in the Philippines for the majority of her life and has told me many interesting stories about her childhood— The mango tree she sat under for hours and the stray chickens she would chase around with her brothers. She told us about the hardships she faced while growing up during a war: when she was in middle or elementary school, she had to carry her desk to and from school every single day. This was until one day, upon her arrival, the school was gone because it was bombed. This climate in which she had to fight to get an education continued throughout her life, until she was finally able to immigrate to Queens, New York, after having her first child. Despite facing prejudice for her race and identity as an immigrant, she was hired at the United Nations and worked there for 30 years. I appreciate her because I would not have any of the opportunities I have now if it weren’t for her, and she inspires me every day.