National Women's History Month: Breanna Bonilla

The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries is celebrating National Women's History Month by highlighting some of the inspiring women who make this organization a model 21st century urban academic library.

Today's interviewee is Breanna Bonilla, Service Experience Specialist. Bonilla has worked for UTA and libraries generally for one year.

Alexandra Pirkle (AP): What was your first library-related job? How did you come to that job?

Breanna Bonilla (BB): This is my first library position! I taught technical theatre at the high school level for the past six years and although I loved it, I needed a change and higher education was my aim!

AP: What role have women played in your career and life?

BB: For as long as I can remember I've had strong women in my life: my mom, my stepmom, seven sisters (and one baby brother), and my maternal grandmother. 

My grandmother raised my mom and her siblings primarily on her own. While I was growing up my mother raised two children on her own as well, and even though times were tough, my sister and I never knew it. My mother and grandmother instilled in me strength and perseverance.

My stepmother graduated with her B.S. in Business Management the same year I graduated from high school and has been a member of local politics since she was a teenager in an effort to better the lives of all, and particularly members of the Hispanic community. My stepmother showed me the passion for education and compassion for all.

My sisters, with successful lives and families of their own, have been my biggest cheerleaders and have always been there to ground me or boost me (depending on the situation). My sisters taught me humility, to cross your legs at the ankle, and how to pop the top off a bottle with my TCU college ring.

AP: What is one of your favorite things about working at UTA Libraries?

BB: I love the diversity of this campus! It was a total culture shock to me when I left my incredibly diverse high school and attended a university that was the COMPLETE opposite. It's comforting to me to be around different kinds of people and various opinions and ideas.

AP: Who is your favorite woman historical figure? Why?

BB: I have always had a soft spot in my heart for revolutionary women such as Doloras Huerta, Marsha P. Johnson, Harriet Tubman, and the Soldaderas of the Mexican Revolution. All these women changed the traditionality of roles women were "allowed" to hold, on top of being women of color.

AP: What is something about you that others would be surprised to know?

BB: I think people might be surprised to know that I began my college journey as a B.A. in Acting for Television and Film.

Thank you, Breanna, for all of your hard work and dedication to UTA Libraries!

Thank you for reading all of our National Women's History Month 2021 profiles! You can see the full compilation for 2021 and 2020 by visiting the tag page.