Rosie Rios, chair of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission and former U.S. Treasurer, has shared her personal story of overcoming poverty to achieve success, reflecting on the meaning of the American Dream.
Rios, who served as Treasurer under President Obama, described her childhood in Hayward, California, where her parents emigrated from Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1958. Her mother made the decision to raise her nine children in the U.S. after leaving an abusive relationship.
She recalled working full-time during high school, balancing a demanding schedule that involved leaving school at 2:15 p.m. to work at the Alameda County Library headquarters until 9:15 p.m., followed by homework until 1 a.m. Rios stated that this intense routine contributed to her admission to Harvard University.
"I am the American dream. My mom is the American dream. My kids are the American dream," Rios said. "I think the American dream is best personified by case studies, by people who came from nothing."
Her personal narrative is featured as part of the American Dream Video Project, an initiative by the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The project showcases real stories illustrating paths to opportunity.
Rios also shared memories of the United States Bicentennial in 1976, recalling the patriotic songs learned in school and the fireworks over New York Harbor. She described the event as a feeling of gratitude for her parents' decision to move to the U.S., expressing enduring love for her country.
The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, located in Washington D.C., offers interactive exhibits and stories related to achieving the American Dream.