Raissa Taguba

We proudly introduce our first Lady of the Month Raissa. Get to know her by reading her inspirational story below.

RAISSA TAGUBA 

“When my friend Lisa invited me to share my story on bullying with the world, I was very touched because maybe if people hear my story they will know that he or she is not alone. Bullying is a horrible act that one person can afflict on another human being and I am glad to stand with my friend Lisa and stand up against bullies. I remember the first day of high school like it was yesterday. I was nervous and did not know what to expect. I had no idea that the next four years I would be battling rumors, mean girls, and reputation that will carry on with me to adulthood. I was the type of person who did not hang out with one clique in high school. I would hang out with some of the popular kids, but that was not always important to me, so I would hang out with other groups too. I think since I did my own thing a lot and did not care what people think of me, I made myself an easy target to be talked about. I remember just because I hung out with mostly guys in High School, people would spread rumors that I was a slut and slept with all of them. The rumors just continued to get nastier and mean to the point I had a reputation for being a slut, even though I did nothing to instigate truth to any of these rumors. I had to listen to the name calling every day, and still try to attend school without letting it affect me. I think the worst of it was after graduating high school the rumors and name calling continued when I got pregnant in college. I know deep down what people say or think about me should not matter. But regardless not matter how I tried to convince myself I was a good person,  it still hurts to hear all these rumors and names people were saying about me.  It even hurt to know that after graduating people still found the time to talk about me when I got pregnant and became a single mother. I did not let what people said about me stop me from living. I ended up transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University to study Biology and someday apply to medical school.  My son is now 4 years old and is attending preschool. I was a founding sister and first elected Chapter President of Alpha Xi Delta Iota Sigma Chapter at VCU while attending. I am also working part time for Bioreference Laboratories as an assistant marketer. I am glad that I overcame my bullies and still pursued my dreams. I know my bullies just made me that much stronger as a woman. I just wish other girls and boys out there  would never have to go through what I did. Even as an adult at 25 years old, I still deal with bullies at my age. I hope with this awareness in bullying maybe it will put a stop to bullying altogether. Because even though I survived through it, I would not wish what I went through on anyone. “