I was born in Havana. Four years after the Cuban Revolution ended in his 1959. Parents Antonio and Rosahis Acosta hoped that the revolution would bring freedom to the island, but on the contrary, it would bring more censorship and oppression. As a professor, poet, and activist, my father knew it was time to uproot his family, lay down his own life, and give his two children the life they deserved. My mother, who is also a professor like him, decided that we would move to the United States.

We were lucky enough to leave in the short time in 1967 when the revolutionary traitor “Gusanos” (earthworm) was allowed to leave. We eventually settled in Union City, New Jersey, an established Cuban immigration enclave and grew up completely immersed in Cuban culture. Spanish was my first language and Cuban food, music and traditions were my way of life. Frijoles negros, maduros, ropa vieja and flan were my favorite foods. Cuban stories were part of our daily diet.

Our parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and their friends, longing to one day return, have gathered to mourn what they have left behind. My father never gave up on his dream that Cuba would one day be free until the day he died at the age of 89. He is also very proud to be an American citizen and taught him from an early age the importance of appreciating and contributing to this country in any way he can.

When I first came to America, my parents learned English while working various jobs and then went back to school to get a master’s degree in education. Their Cuban credentials were useless here. I remember her mother sitting next to her doing her homework while sitting at the dining room table doing her homework.

About 12 years later, my parents started teaching. Her mother worked as a bilingual first grade teacher in Jersey City and her father as a high school teacher in Union City. His influence at Emerson High School was so great that a street was named after him after he died.

Being an immigrant and seeing my parents struggle to set foot in the United States influences every decision I make. float. What if they were better connected? What if resources for learning English were easily accessible? What if their PhD in Cuba actually mattered in this country? The difficult transition from the home country of immigrants to this country remains difficult.

One of my missions was to make that journey smoother by helping to fund organizations that combine English and skills training. Known as ESOL Integrated Training Programs, these programs provide opportunities for all workers coming to Massachusetts and the ability to utilize the talents they possess.

Young people need the same opportunities in school. It was a hallmark of the Baker Polito administration to ensure that our school system prepared students in every city and town for in-demand jobs. It has been an honor to visit many of the Colleges across the Commonwealth and see firsthand how students acquire skills relevant to today’s economy. It depends on ensuring that young people in underserved communities have equitable access to high-paying, high-demand jobs, regardless of their zip code.

Perspective is important. Serving as Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development has been the greatest honor and privilege of my career. I hope I was able to use my experience as a Latina to leave something a little better than I found myself.

Rosalin Acosta is the Secretary of Workforce Development for Massachusetts.