Radames "Rod" Martinez
This interview is with Rod Martinez, a semi-retired radiologist and Cuban immigrant living in Longview, TX. Rod shares his memories of growing up in Cuba and escaping with his family after Castro came to power. He describes immigrating to the US and how his family lived during their first years in the States. Rod talks about the influences and education that led him to a career in medicine. He also shares about how he met his wife, how she influenced his faith, and his current relationship with Christianity.
Samira Abed
This interview is with Samira Abed, a Palestinian-American businesswoman living in Florida. Samira describes her youth in Brazil, her time in Palestine, and her immigration to the US after her marriage. She talks about raising her family in Texas and becoming a businesswoman. Samira shares about a car accident that left one of her sons permanently disabled and talks about how this affected her family. She also discusses her family’s experiences of Islamophobia after 9/11 and her relationship with Islam today.
Sharon Mathew
This interview is with Sharon Mathew, a medical student and aspiring reproductive healthcare provider in Clearwater, FL. Sharon talks about growing up as a first-generation American in a Malayali home, and how that affected their experiences of gender dynamics and relationships to peers. She shares her journey of relating to her heritage, from shying away from Mohiniyattam dance due to childhood bullying to embracing wearing pottu and learning Malayalam as an adult. Sharon discusses their passion for reproductive healthcare as a powerful freedom and describes their activist work as well as their career aspirations and inspirations.