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Priscilla Lopez, a widowed mother of two sons, had a dream of going to college and becoming a registered nurse. But the only job experience she had was working at a bakery in her native Puerto Rico. When she came to the United States mainland in 1993, she knew no English. Two essentials have helped Priscilla to move toward her goal: determinationa nd a literacy program created for women immigrants. 

Regarding her early days in the United States, Priscilla said, "Without English, I was going crazy!" She couldn’t speak on her children’s behalf at school. She didn’t like using interpreters because when the English-speakers would talk between themselves, she felt left out and uncomfortable. One day, Priscilla ran into someone she knew on the street. "How’ve you been?" he asked her. "I’m waiting for my niece,"she replied. She was upset at the inappropriateness of her answer. The exchange, similar to many others, convinced her that she had to improve her English or be an outsider forever. 

Then Priscilla heard about the Women’s Empowerment ESOL (English for Speakers of OtherLanguages) Program at Imani House, which helps women in New York City respond to personal or community issues while teaching them English and helping them understand American culture. She learned English so well that she was admitted to New York City Technical College. Priscilla said, "I liked the way they taught English ... and the way the teachers talked to me. I always understood them."

Priscilla took acomputer class and continued to work on her English at the technical college as she prepared for the next part of her goal, pursuing an associate’s degree in nursing and to one day earn her bachelor’s degree and become a registered nurse.