For nearly 50 years, Irma García carried around a dream that never quite let go. Tomorrow, at 72 years old, the grandmother of five will finally walk across the graduation stage at George Mason University to receive her bachelor’s degree in public administration.
Irma came to the United States from Puerto Rico in 1978 as a single mother with three daughters under the age of 3, determined to build a better life through education. She worked two jobs — spending her days at Northern Virginia Community College and nights preparing salad bars at Wendy’s — while raising her girls and taking classes whenever she could. Somehow, she still found time to make life joyful for her children.
Education always mattered deeply in her family, and she passed that passion on to her daughters, who all went on to careers in law, government and tech. Years later, it was her college-educated grandchildren helping her navigate online coursework and technology so she could finally finish the degree she started decades ago.
Five years ago, Irma enrolled at Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government, often sitting in classrooms filled with students the same age as her grandchildren. Now, after a lifetime of sacrifice, hard work and perseverance, she’s proving the American Dream is still possible — even if it takes a little longer than expected.