Cathy Rojas / Customer Solutions Manager, Commercial / DMF Lighting
As the eldest in my family and the first to attend college in the U.S., National First-Generation Day holds deep personal meaning for me. It represents resilience, determination, and the power of breaking generational cycles.
National First Generation Day is on November 8, 2025. The day is dedicated to celebrating the achievements and resilience of first-generation college students, faculty, and staff. It also commemorates the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded access to college for low-income and first-generation students.
This day is a reminder of the sacrifices my family made and the strength it took to navigate unfamiliar systems without a roadmap. It symbolizes not just my journey, but the hopes and dreams of those who came before me—and the legacy I’m helping to build for those who will come after.
Being a first-generation woman in the lighting and design industry makes this even more significant. It means showing up with pride, paving the way for others, and proving that you don’t have to have a traditional path to make an impact.