My grandmother, Domitila Rodriguez, was born and raised in San José de la Matas, Santiago. From a very young age, she and her six siblings worked on their parents’ land, raising crops and animals to sell. Much of her life was dedicated to sustaining not only herself, but also her siblings and, at times, her entire family. Because of these responsibilities, she was never able to experience a traditional youth, pursue an education, or learn what it meant to care for herself and rest.
Later in life, she made the difficult decision to leave behind everything she had built in Santiago and start over in the Bronx after gaining citizenship. Although she left her home, community, and familiarity, her strength never left her. She faced the challenges of adapting to U.S. customs—completely new and unfamiliar to her—while navigating life as a non-English-speaking immigrant, where earning a stable income was far from easy.
Despite these obstacles, her resilience carried her forward. Through years of hard work and careful saving, she achieved her own personal goals. One of her greatest accomplishments is her dream of becoming a homeowner upon retirement, represented in the image titled “The Bricks of Resilience,” which shows her now-renovated home near her hometown.
This house is more than just a physical space—it stands as a symbol of her perseverance and sacrifice. It is also deeply meaningful to me. Visiting it allows me to create cherished memories, reconnect with my Dominican heritage, and witness the tangible results of the strength and determination she has passed down through generations.
