I’m a proud Haitian woman who, against all odds, was able to accomplish a lot. My ambition and resilience come from my ancestors who were the first blacks to lead the way to independence through blood, defiance, determination, and great sacrifices. Known as the catalyst in the abolishment of slavery, Haiti was once called “La Perle des Antilles” (The Pearl of the Antilles) mainly because of its once admired and coveted beauty, natural wealth and opulent tropical forests. Today it’s a broken nation with bare mountains and limited resources imprisoned by extreme poverty and socio-political unrest; but surprisingly (and thankfully) the essence of its culture remains untouched.