Author: Ruby
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From Criminal Justice to Public Health Advocacy: My Pivot Story
My pivot from criminal justice to public health wasn’t planned but it was purposeful. From county corrections to the bedside to the communities that shaped me, each chapter revealed the inequities and human stories that pushed me toward advocacy. This blog post explores the moments that broke me open, redirected me, and aligned me with… Read more
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The Latest Attack on Public Health
Here’s my definition of equity and equality. Equality is giving everyone equal pieces of pie despite how hungry they are. Equity is giving everyone a piece of pie that reflects what they need to no longer be hungry. Equity for me is what we need to progress in public health. Those who are a part… Read more
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The Power of Pen to Paper: Why I Choose Handwritten Healing
There is a different kind of honesty that shows up when I put pen to paper. Typing feels quick, efficient, and productive, but handwriting feels like truth. When I write by hand, I say things I would not say out loud or even think to type. There is no backspace. There is no red underline.… Read more
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What It Means to Heal the Story You Were Given
Before you read this post, remember I warned you: my healing space would be vulnerable and unfiltered. There is no point in sounding polished or pretending everything has always been okay. Healing for me isn’t about perfection. It’s about honesty. And if my honesty helps even one person see they can overcome, rewrite, or reclaim… Read more
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When Policy Meets Pain: A Personal Reflection on Birth, Bias, and the Systems That Shape Our Lives
Public health has never been something distant or theoretical to me. It has always been woven into the fabric of my life and the lives of people in the communities I come from. Before I studied public health or policy, I lived it. I saw how access, culture, and systems decided who received care and… Read more
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Welcome to Precious Gem Creatives: Healing My Story, One Layer at a Time
Rubies are created under intense pressure and extreme heat. Out of that process, they become one of the world’s rarest and most beautiful gems. That is how I see my journey. Precious Gem Creatives was born out of that same kind of pressure, out of moments that nearly broke me but instead shaped me into… Read more