Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Pearce.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Of course! When I look at my life and think about my current status as a law student, I think it’s quite remarkable that I can trace the path that I have taken to get here back to a defining moment when I was 11 years old: the day that I learned about Martin Lee Anderson. I remember it as clearly and distinctly as if it happened yesterday. I was sitting at the dining room table, rushing to complete my homework, when I looked up and caught a glimpse of the most horrific thing my fifth-grade eyes had ever seen on the 3 o’clock news. It was the surveillance video of a young, black boy, being physically assaulted as he lay lifeless on the ground of Bay County Boot Camp. To me, the most incomprehensible part of it all was that he was surrounded by eight adults (7 police officers and 1 nurse) who were fully capable of rendering aid, of saving his life, of helping him in any capacity, but voluntarily chose not to. As a child, this shook me. I remember becoming enraged, my face twisting into confusion. Why were they just standing there? Why weren’t they helping him? It was in this moment that I decided that I would not be someone who sat on the sidelines to injustice, but rather someone who was actively engaged in defending and protecting the rights (and the lives) of others. As they say, the rest is history.
Has it been a smooth road?
Very far from that. There have been numerous hurdles that I have had to overcome on this journey. The most recent of these was my mother’s breast cancer diagnosis. I found out about it at the end of my first semester at the University of Central Florida. I remember waking up the morning that I was supposed to head back home for summer break with the most uneasy, heavy feeling. It was unlike anything that I had ever felt before or have felt since. I knew immediately that something was wrong. I remember thinking that something terrible must have happened to one of my family members back home- “death” popped into my head. The feeling was so powerful, so overwhelming, and still to this day I have a hard time finding words that truly capture what I felt in that moment. When I got home and my mom revealed to me that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, alarms went off in my head. That was it. It wasn’t long after that I decided to return home and continue my education from online. I’ve always hated taking online classes, but it was something that I now needed to do. I completed my remaining 60+ credits online, while also working, interning, and taking care of family obligations. At my graduation I used my cap to honor and pay tribute to my mom and her memory. She rightfully had the best seat in the house.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Currently, I am a full-time, first-year law student at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. Naturally, of course, doing well in my classes and carving out my career path is what I am currently focused on. My main area of interest is criminal law. I am most passionate about criminal justice reform and policy formation, specifically in ending mass incarceration, the criminalization of youth, and poverty, plugging the school-to-prison pipeline, and improving police-community relations. Honestly, I am most proud of making it to this point- for staying committed to my goal of becoming an attorney despite the challenges that have arisen along the way.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mother has undoubtedly been the most inspiring woman in my life. Throughout her two-year battle with breast cancer she was the epitome of strength. At a time when no one would have questioned her bitterness or anger, she continued to count her blessings. Even as the cancer spread to her neck, lungs, and brain, her thankfulness and positive outlook on life never wavered. I still remember her daily routine of singing “I Am Blessed” as she carried on throughout her day. That song was always on her heart. The other women who have been an inspiration to me are my four sisters: Zenobia, Bianca, Alexandra, and Nora. They embody our mother’s strength, perseverance, and resilience, and are absolutely the toughest women I know.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsabrinapearce/
Image Credit:
@lilyjayphoto
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