Most people call her "Lash," but LaShyra Nolen’s name is hardly the only unique thing about her. Last year, she became the first black woman ever elected as class president of Harvard Medical School .
Born in Compton, California, and educated in Los Angeles, Lash grew up with big dreams and equally daunting challenges. Despite not seeing black women leadership reflected in society in general, she found inspiration in the strength of the women around her. Lash’s mom had her when she was only 18 years old. But as a single mom, she got her masters, while working numerous jobs to support Lash’s dreams.
"Mom pursued life with grit and a desire to win. She would tell me: 'I’ll see you at the top,'" Lash tellsIn third grade, Lash won first place in a school science fair for a project that studied the patterns of fish. After this, she told her grandma she wanted to become a brain surgeon-slash-astronaut.
"My grandma would tell me that whatever I wanted to do, we were gonna make it happen," Lash recalls. "After telling her I wanted to become a surgeon, she would tell me to protect my hands."Teen VogueTeen VogueLash Nolen: For me it means opportunity — opportunity in the sense that it will allow me to create a pipeline for others who look like me to hold positions of leadership at Harvard Medical School. When applying to HMS, I didn't see people who looked like me in student council or positions of leadership at that level. I think it is important to show that black people can also be the face of a university.I try to use my resources and platform intentionally.
LashNolen Stand tall and proud, babe 👑
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