Aileen Wei

Why continuing an education is so important to her:

“Continuing my education through graduate school is important to me because expanding my knowledge of my skills and resources would help me enrich the lives of families and better serve my community. I am looking to receive my masters degree in social work to advocate for issues within the community and build partnerships through my program that will help identify and address social matters. In my consideration to pursue my graduate degree, I realize the weight that education holds when confronting the barriers of this world and navigating the prejudged expectations of society. My diploma may be a piece of paper, but my education will be hidden in myself as knowledge to make a meaningful impact in my community.”

Aileen proudly supports:

Child and Family Development Student Organization of San Diego State University

Bring Me Hope Foundation

Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) of San Diego

Aileen, what does the term “Golden Women” mean to you?

“I have always understood a "Golden Women" to be one gentle and quiet in spirit, but loud with passion. She does not conform to others' expectations for herself when it is unreasonable, but challenges the path that people have set for her.”

Aileen, describe something that is plaguing young women today and explain what can be done to turn it around? What can you do to help?

“One of the many issues that are plaguing young women today is the battle of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. I realize that this is often an overlooked issue, but this is society attempt to tell women the boundaries of the accomplishments. This is only heightened by corporate companies and even starts as young as high school in some areas. When I look back at my elementary and high school school district, I recall an unusual amount of teenage pregnancies that prevented many of my female peers from receiving even their high school diploma. When I arrived at college, I began hearing about corporate companies that are convincing females to "freeze their eggs" and put off motherhood with the promise that they can "climb the corporate ladder". This is a very real and serious issue because many young women feel as if they are forced to choose between family or employment. In turn, they either pursue their career at full speed with no room for their own lives or they have to settle for a common career with an less than average salary that they are not passionate about. There are bills that are being advocated for and pushed at a political level, but I also want to encourage young women to love their ability to accomplish while embracing the God-given gift to raise children.”