A hidden past, a heritage to be proud of

Hispanic Heritage Month begins in September, and although it may seem like a straightforward observance, its meaning is as multifaceted as the many cultures it celebrates, and my story is a great example.  

My name is Abigail Jimenez, and I am an analyst with Asset Protection at Walgreens. I work with our security systems and vendors to analyze trends, potential risks and resource implementation along with other business needs.  

I was born in Chicago to a single mother as the third of four children. When I was 10 years old, I decided to live permanently with my grandmother. This wasn’t a decision I made because I wasn’t happy living with my mom and siblings. It was simply because my grandma and I developed such a strong, inexplicable bond.  

My grandmother Estela Mendoza, who was of Mexican descent and nationality, lived in East Chicago, Indiana. When I lived with her, we frequented neighborhood bodegas and panaderias (Mexican bakeries), which I loved, and we attended cultural events and parades, listened to Latin music and were avid viewers of telenovelas, which my grandmother introduced my siblings and me to at an early age.

When I started high school, one of the first boys I spoke with was a sophomore named Bryan Jimenez. We began dating my freshman year, had our first son after my senior year, got married in 2011 and now, 23 years after we met, have three sons together. 

My grandmother was always our biggest supporter. She helped raise our kids, which strengthened our relationship even more, and she eventually moved in with us after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. We all took care of each other despite one astonishing fact we would uncover later: We weren’t blood relatives.

A surprising revelation

Shortly after my second son was born in 2009, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. When she was sick, my mom revealed that she was adopted as a newborn by my grandmother and her then-husband. My grandmother got divorced when my mom was 6 years old, and after that, it was just the two of them.

After my mom revealed this to my siblings and me, it was assumed that we would never bring it up to my grandma. According to my mom, she and my grandmother had discussed the adoption only once, and it was never brought up again. My mother, Melva Mendoza, eventually lost her battle to cancer when I was 22 years old. 

There were moments after my mom’s passing when I wanted to reveal to my grandma that I knew about my mom’s adoption. Despite my curiosity and hopes of learning more, I never said a word. My grandma was the woman who raised me, loved me, embraced my children and shaped my entire life. The fact we weren’t biologically related did not change my love for her.

After my grandmother passed away, my siblings and I uncovered adoption papers that revealed that my mom's biological parents were a Caucasian couple from Indiana. This discovery deeply influenced my perspective on what it means to be Mexican American or Hispanic in the U.S. To me, being Mexican or Hispanic goes far beyond biology or native language; it is rooted in culture, heritage and generational traditions passed on from those who love and care for us most. These are the aspects I take pride in and that connect me to my Hispanic community. 

Finding my way back to Walgreens

In 2010, I started my career at Walgreens as a cashier at store #10534 in Whiting, Indiana. Two years later, I took a job as shift lead at store #13106, located in the East Side neighborhood of Chicago. I held that position for six years. 

I enjoyed my job, but I wanted to continue my education. In 2019, I graduated with a degree in public affairs from Indiana University, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, companies were laying people off and struggling to stay afloat while the world shuttered. I was a new graduate with no place to go. 

Fortunately, a friend I stayed in touch with from Walgreens, Maribel Orozco, told me about a job within the Asset Protection department. I jumped at the chance and was thrilled to rejoin Walgreens on Maribel’s team as an advocate for customers who were injured. I was in that role for nearly three years.

Eager to learn everything I could about Walgreens, I joined several business resource groups: Working Parents and Caregivers, Latino Professionals Network and Women of Walgreens. Through Women of Walgreens, I was paired with a mentor, Michael Hourigan, who is the director of the Insights, Analytics and Systems team within Asset Protection. It was through this connection that I landed my current role on Michael’s team, which I’ve had for just over a year now.

Celebrating and giving back 

Although my life wasn’t always easy, I am grateful for the way it has turned out and am looking forward to the future. My sons are now 18, 15 and 12, and my husband and I are the biggest fans of their sports and music. We love watching them passionately pursue their interests, and I am not-so-secretly hoping that one of them will soon attend my alma mater. 

I couldn’t be happier to say that I am now the chair of the Working Parents and Caregivers business resource group. I am also on the board of the Walgreens partnership with the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). The young professionals I encounter remind me a lot of my own children; they inspire me with their enthusiasm and hope for the future, as well as pride in their heritage and upbringing.  

Having dealt with unique triumphs and tribulations throughout my life, I feel these groups are a wonderful way to share my experiences, build relationships and potentially help others going through similar situations. By giving some of your time to groups that share your passions, values and heritage, you can fill in the missing parts, give advice, learn something new and feel genuinely connected to the people working alongside you.