In “Your Story” we celebrate the remarkable stories of everyday Americans from diverse backgrounds — in their own words — showcasing the enduring spirit of Our America’s Hometown Heroes across the nation.
In Venezuela I worked in the oil industry as an industrial engineer and everything was by merit. I applied for a job with 50 other applicants and I got it after three interviews. You rose because you earned it, not by connection or cronyism.
But in 2002 the oil strike happened, 25 thousand workers stopped because we didn’t agree. A military general started firing people who according to the government were coup plotters. In January 2003 I learned that I had been fired after reading my name on the paper. My son had just been born, I was on postnatal leave and they threw me out.
After that I applied for several positions and was told that while I was qualified, they wouldn’t hire me because PDVSA, the state owned oil company, sent a letter saying we were plotting a coup.
So from 2003 to 2005 I had to work freelance on ISO 9000 standards, process improvements, under the table. In 2005 I formed a company called Global Management of Venezuela with three partners. We offered consulting and training services. I joined the Voluntad Popular party and we formed Gente del Petróleo, a civil organization, with all those who were fired. But we started being persecuted by the government.
In 2017, I finally left for America via a tourist visa and where I decided to apply for asylum, because since 2002 I felt a change where I couldn’t even work.
I chose the United States because I’m a mother of three children and I didn’t feel safe in Latin America, because in their elections the same type of people have won. But also because the United States is a powerhouse, a first-world country.
I arrived through Tennessee, I lived there almost two years. I started in a recycling warehouse, and then as a folder runner running production. In a month I was already with production, deciding what orders would run. I passed reports to management. I worked there from April 2018 until November 2019, then I moved to Georgia.
After that I bought a tax franchise, Toro Taxes, I started operating in 2024. After the season I saw that many people just did not know how to do their taxes, they didn’t know what a 1095A was. I studied, got the health, life and accidents license in August. In September I joined a broker. Today I do health, life, I help families educate themselves on the United States financial system, which is totally different from Latin America. I am very passionate about helping others.
It was only a few months ago when I first discovered “Our America” through social media where I saw the Citizenship training course. By that time, I already had my date, I was very nervous, so I knew I was going to attend the training no matter what.
A week after the training, I took the test, and not long after I took my Citizen’s Oath.
Thank God I became a citizen. It is a great satisfaction that after almost eight years working, doing things right, guiding my children on the right path.
I feel I have to give back with my knowledge, help other people achieve their dreams.
