BSW Student Representative
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Karen Lopez
I was christened with the name Karen Itzbeidy Lopez, some may know me as Itzbeidy, Mami, as my daughters like to call me. I was born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, my mother’s third child and only daughter. Like many families searching for a better life, my parents decided to migrate to the United States. I was only three years old when my parents and siblings embarked on a journey for a new beginning. We migrated and we were raised in the south side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[LMS1] If I remember I was told to work hard, my parents will say here in the U.S. people like us must work. So, I ran with that, I began to work at an early age. Work, work, work and work hard was my motto. I believed if I worked hard enough, I would obtain success and wealth. I never thought I needed education; it was not a core priority. I was made to believe that there was not a space in higher education for girls like me. But I went through high school because that was the thing to do. I did not Graduate with not many goals or plans on pursuing further education. My focus was just working, I soon found out I was pregnant. So many things changed, I began to think further out into the future. I was forced to reevaluate my life. I had worked for so many years but felt I had nothing to offer my daughter. During all this, I married an amazing man. It was through him I began my journey on becoming a U.S. permanent resident. I was able to enroll into college. I obtained an associate degree in Human Services at Milwaukee Area Technical College. I was the Vice President of the Student [LMS2] Deaf Culture Club [LMS3] (basic level) and volunteered at Bruce Guadalupe Community[LMS4] School as a student assistant. I had an urge to continue, I was hungry for success. I had gone against all odds and needed more. I had pulled a chair to the table I thought I could not sit at. I enrolled and was accepted into Alverno College. I have grown to love Academia and have triumphed in my studies in Social Work and learning about great organizations such as NASW. I have been highly engaged in programs outside of classrooms, but also within my community. Currently, I am a part of many student organizations within my Social Work major and my Spanish double major such as Spanish Tutor, Positivity Committee member, the Alumnus Conference and Keynote speaker event (Host), Alverno College Association of Social Work (Coordinator) and currently part of the Recruitment, Outreach and Leadership Committee, where I was to conduct a professional presentation. I had the opportunity to present my research on Historical Trauma at the Wisconsin Women’s and Gender Studies Conference (2022) and 4W Summit in Madison, the National Youth Mentoring Research Symposium in Washington, DC, (2022) and the National Association of Social Work- Wisconsin Annual Conference in Wisconsin Dells (2021). [LMS5] Next semester I will begin my senior year at Alverno. I am excited to continue learning and growing as I prepare for graduation and starting my career as a future Social Worker.
Position Statement
As a senior Social Work Major, it is extremely important to me to be part of my professional membership organization. NASW is our national social work professional membership organization and I want to be a part of it! I have learned so much at Alverno College about the social work profession. Being a Student Board Member is such a great opportunity for my future. Moreover, it is also a way for me to give back to my profession. As a young woman, mother, and Latina, I would like to voice my opinion and share my unique experiences. I believe others could learn from my experiences and I could help promote social justice. Becoming a student board member at NASW will allow me to grow and learn more at a macro level as a professional. With the experience that I have already obtained at Alverno College, I believe that I am ready to take a bigger responsibility as a future social worker. I am bilingual in Spanish and English with knowledge of American Sign Language. I am highly organized, motivated, and a determined Latina. I promise to successfully complete any task given will benefit NASW. I am not perfect, but I am “perfectly imperfect” and willing to give my best at any opportunity. Social Work is more than just a definition. Social Work is a lifestyle and a core belief. Social Work to me means being there for people, not only to help navigate life and giving out resources but giving people hope for a better life. Social Work is giving other people hope, guidance, empowerment, and tools for a better life. I am excited to run as a Student Board Member for NASW. Thank you for considering me.
Angela Athena Stadelman
Angela Athena Stadelman is the name my parents gave me, I am a young woman born and raised in Rockford Illinois. I am one of four, the three others all being boys so I have now concluded the dire need to have all girls when the time comes…. Just kidding. It’s a challenge putting almost twenty years of life into one brief paragraph but I’m surely up to it. Friends and family would likely describe me as a versatile person as I can adapt and make light of many different situations. Since I was a little girl I have grown up going to a Greek orthodox church, as my Mother is the firstborn generation in the United States resulting from my grandparent's descent here from Greece. Every year since I was ten I’ve been a part of the women's Philoptochos organization, helping create bake goods and bake sales through the church. Growing up I was a bold child sometimes for better, or for worse. I was a dancer for over ten years, I did competitions and recitals. It was a great way for me to exercise that trait. As time went on I found a passion for activism, I found myself wanting to advocate for others and speak up about important issues and bring them to light. Before this, I thought of myself as bold but I never really knew bold until I knew activism. To speak up for what is right regardless of what others say and have those deep and uncomfortable conversations many like to avoid and dismiss, now that takes courage. I am now the youngest member of the Rockford Women's league of voters, being only nineteen. Now, it may seem like I am flaunting my milestones, or trying to convince you that I am the perfect young lady but that could not be far from the truth. Mental health issues and self-esteem issues are things I am no stranger to. My whole life I felt as if I was the black sheep of my family, the only one in my family who did not get into an accelerated learning school throughout childhood, the little kid who was always getting into trouble and feeling out of place. The conferences my parents would always dread when I was a child. Everyone has their flaws and struggles and without those, I would not be the person I am today.
Position Statement
When I was younger I had long, curly, black eyelashes. They were my best feature, everyone would complement them. In second grade I started subconsciously picking them out, I never knew why I did, I just knew I did it. My mother would yell at me, "stop picking them out". At the end of second grade, I had no eyelashes, I looked ill and I didn't know it at the time but I was, mentally. At the beginning of junior high, anxiety started taking effect on my body, I'd begin experiencing full-on panic attacks. My first one was on Mother’s Day in sixth grade when suddenly I couldn't feel my heartbeat. I've never experienced such a feeling, it happened randomly. I felt like I was jumping out of my skin while hyperventilating in the movie theater. I convinced myself I was having a heart attack or dying. My Mother noticed, I told her "I think I'm having a heart attack", she hugged me and told me to breathe. Eventually, I calmed down, and she goes "honey, I think you had a panic attack." I didn't understand since I never talked about how I felt mentally, nor did I think I needed to, I was only eleven. The idea that I had some type of imbalance in my brain causing me to feel this way was new to me. Over time, my mother and I would talk and she would reassure me, making me feel better as I was realizing I’ve suffered from anxiety. Since that attack, I avoided movie theaters for years. I couldn't go with friends or family. I hated trying to explain why, they never understood. "You're fine, get over it." I'd hear. Months later I'd have frequent physical anxiety. I was so afraid of having an attack again, I'd randomly feel dizzy, numb, nauseous, it sucked, and worst of all it's all in your head so you need to fix it, or prevent it yourself as you're struggling. Even breathing made me feel like I'd have an attack. Every day felt like a fight, a fight with myself every single day. By the end of eighth grade, my anxious thoughts took a new toll on me, and I began having intrusive thoughts constantly. I convinced myself I had depression. Beforehand it was my physical health that I would stress about, now I was worried about my mental health itself. In addition to anxiety, I convinced myself it was other things too. That summer I’d have multiple attacks, questioning myself mentally all the time. I'd depersonalize myself, feeling trapped in my thoughts, as every day felt like a long drag. I'd wake up thinking "how will I make myself miserable today." It had full control over me, and I let it. I found myself anticipating the end of each day to be able to sleep again. Suffering for months alone in my head, I worried if I told anyone, even my mom, she'd think I'm crazy. Eventually, I did. I broke out crying from all the stress I put on myself. She reassured me that I wasn't insane, that I was overthinking, and that we'd figure it out. I started seeing a therapist that I still see to this day. She helped enlighten me on what was going on in my head. It took a while, but I recovered. Some days are better than others but I'm doing well. In recovering and dealing with my day-to-day thoughts and feelings It was a liberating feeling to be understood and seen. Furthering my education in social work will allow me to use my experience to benefit others. I want to become a licensed social worker to learn and grow within this field and eventually become a therapist and help others the way mine has helped me. As well as advocate for others on other levels as well and make sure their voices are heard. Serving on the NASW-WI board of directors would best prepare me for the journey ahead and allow me to step into a greater version of myself and use the strong traits I hold within to the best of my ability. Struggling with mental health issues changed my life and helped me find my passion. I didn't think I could be helped. No matter where you are you can find healing, recovery, and the good even in doubt, I hope to help others do so as well and be a voice for them.