It is with great privilege and honor to introduce you to the GGU Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice Law Journal. This project started when my colleague, dearest friend and founding Editor-in-Chief, Silvia Chairez-Perez, approached me during our internship with the California Supreme Court Capital Central Staff. We were discussing how far we have come with the resources presented to us, and our motivation to provide a better pathway to underrepresented law students.

I come from a family of immigrants who came from nothing and gave me the most beautiful life I could have imagined. As a first-generation college and law student, it was always difficult to determine whether I was on track and doing enough. When times were tough, I would remember my parents’ story, and think to myself, “if my parents were able to give me what I have now with nothing but the hard work and sacrifice they constantly endured, I can do anything.”

I never thought of joining a law review because I felt I wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t until I had the privilege of working with Professor Babcock in my writing courses that I felt like I could actually do this! I appreciated and admired how thorough she was in her comments with respect to my writing. I’ve always been someone to welcome constructive criticism, and asked Professor Babcock to be brutal when it came to providing feedback in my writing. Professor Babcock helped me grow as a writer. I believed in myself when my Professor acknowledged my writing as great. With this journal my hopes are to replicate and share with other law students the support and encouragement which Professor Babcock provided me.

I say this because everyone’s story is different. Adversity comes in many forms, and the legal field isn’t structured to lift and represent people with different and valuable perspectives. This is why our journal exists. I am not a top 10% student by any means, but that doesn’t mean I am not capable of excellent scholarship. Our society and legal field measure our capabilities by a number. Not to sound cliche, but we are more than a number. Our life experiences and perspectives are what bring value to the legal field. The people we serve come from many walks of life. It is only right that the people who serve do as well. The same goes for writing. Who better to analyze discrepancies or flaws in the law than those who have experienced the injustices first hand?

I am beyond excited to share this with you all. Our law journal welcomes you to scholarship that comes with a deeper story and experience behind it.

Tiffany Avila
Founding Managing Editor