From Data to Advocacy: Uncovering Injustice and Championing Change for Marginalized Communities by Sarah

From Data to Advocacy: Uncovering Injustice and Championing Change for Marginalized Communities by Sarah - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

During my undergraduate studies, I faced a significant challenge while working on my research project, Legal and Illegal Immigrants: Logistics and Calamity in the Siren of Freedom. This project investigated the experiences of undocumented immigrant girls in U.S. detention centers, revealing widespread sexual abuse and systemic failures in accountability. While I was passionate about the topic, I underestimated the emotional toll of the research process and the logistical hurdles involved in analyzing data from 1,685 facilities.

Midway through the project, I struggled to balance the emotional weight of the stories I uncovered with the rigorous demands of academic research. At times, it felt overwhelming to process the trauma conveyed in the data while maintaining objectivity and analytical clarity. I realized I needed a structured approach to manage both the research and its personal impact. I sought support from my academic mentors, who encouraged me to break the project into smaller, manageable goals and maintain regular self-reflection practices, like journaling and mindfulness, to cope with the heavy subject matter.

I also learned the importance of perseverance and adaptability when my initial data collection methods faced roadblocks. Accessing sensitive records required negotiating bureaucratic barriers and pushing through rejections. To overcome this, I broadened my outreach strategies and collaborated with advocacy organizations that shared similar goals, which ultimately helped me access crucial data.

Completing this 386-page report not only sharpened my research and analytical skills but also reinforced the importance of resilience and a solutions-oriented mindset. I emerged with a stronger understanding of how to approach complex social issues with both academic rigor and compassion. This experience also shaped my belief that research must translate into actionable outcomes, driving my continued commitment to advocacy and systemic change.