Simone Irizarry

Lightbulb Moments
Mount Holyoke Alumnae Quarterly, Summer 2000

Do you know that moment when something suddenly becomes crystal clear? Simone IrizarryThat's a "lightbulb moment." Frances Perkins scholar Simone Irizarry shares hers."

At 34 1 left career, family and friends and plopped myself into a new life. The words 'fearful' and 'humbled' do not begin to describe what I felt as I sat in my first class.... Fast forward to the end of my second semester and a major lightbulb moment.

"Today as I eagerly (yes, eagerly) walked toward Clapp to dissect maggots in my fly lab, it struck me that each time I pass Mary Lyon's grave, I silently say thank you to her. It all started after getting my first A on a I 15-page paper. (Me, getting an A at Mount Holyoke College! I was floored. I was grateful.) I stopped and sat in an Adirondack chair in front of her gravesite. I found myself thanking her and the women who continued the spirit of her work for giving me the opportunity to be here. I was so elated I could barely contain myself. "

Recently, with finals looming, fear began to creep alongside me again. When I passed by Ms. Mary's place today, I said, 'Thank you,' and asked her when I would stop feeling afraid. As I walked away, I felt at peace. So whenever I pass Ms. Mary's place, I will say to myself, 'No fear, Ms. Mary, no fear!'

-- Photo by Paul Schaittacher