Opinion: Like Dr. Jill Biden, I Will Be Using My Hard-Earned Title More Often
December 15, 2020 - San Antonio
Doctor on the dais. Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
By Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia, Guest Opinion | San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Joseph Epstein’s opinion piece that was published in The Wall Street Journal on Dec. 11 criticized Dr. Jill Biden's use of her "Dr." honorific
- Epstein's op-ed reminded D4 Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia of "how hard women who are raising a family while attending school have to work"
It took me ten years to complete my PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, a Tier One Research Institution. I was a single mom and had to drive back and forth to Austin (no online courses were offered for the program), while holding on to a full-time job.
It took ten years not only because of this, but because the university basically accepted me on a probationary status because they didn’t think I was prepared enough with my undergraduate and graduate degree since I hadn’t attended a major university like UT. They made me complete a majority of the master’s courses in their program to get up to speed with their level of academic rigor, and after proving to them that I could handle it all, I was removed from my probationary period and continued on my path.
Only a couple of my professors knew that I was from San Antonio and that I drove back and forth. I never told the others because I didn’t want to be given any sympathy points. I wanted to prove myself, especially as one of only a handful of Hispanics accepted into the program.
I had great mentors and professors who I will always be indebted to for their motivation and support, but I earned it in 2014, after many sacrifices, and nobody can take that away from me.
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Joseph Epstein’s opinion piece that was published in The Wall Street Journal on Dec. 11, which criticized Dr. Jill Biden's use of her doctoral honorific, reminded me of how hard women who are raising a family while attending school have to work. In fact, while at UT, I actually did a content analysis in a class with the father of the agenda-setting theory, Dr. Maxwell McCombs. After this weekend’s opinion piece ran, I am tempted to analyze opinion pieces written by men about women in their publication - if only I had more time.
It also reminded me that I should probably use my hard earned title more often.
I’m thankful for the folks who encouraged me to use the title in all my official City-related communications when I got elected, and sorry that I listened to a couple men who said I shouldn’t when I was considering filing for candidacy.
We live and learn and I will for sure start using it more often.
Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia is a mother and the District 4 representative on San Antonio City Council.