First person Archives - Page 2 of 35 - Pittsburgh's Public Source

A group of people rehearses on stage under purple lighting, with one person in the foreground stretching their arms above their head.

I found myself on stage. Gen Z shouldn’t forget the arts.

by First-person essay by Robert “RJ” Reed-Williams July 31, 2026August 1, 2026

A man, woman, and baby sit on a dark couch in a living room. A bouquet of flowers is nearby. The image has white specks scattered across it.

My parents’ premature deaths made public health a personal reality

by First-person essay by Tara Fay Coleman July 17, 2026July 19, 2026

A woman in a light blue shirt stands indoors near a window, looking outside with natural light illuminating her face.

An MS diagnosis gave a sense of relief, and now I’m figuring out how to live with it

by First-person essay by Tabitha Weaver May 29, 2026May 30, 2026

Audience members seated in a dimly lit venue watch a performance, illuminated by purple and blue stage lighting.

Please don’t laugh: Improv improved me in so many ways

by First-person essay by Rachel Bachy May 22, 2026May 20, 2026

A child smiles next to a LEGO house set and, in another photo, gestures toward a completed jigsaw puzzle on a table.

Community storytelling

What should I do with a dining room table layered with joy and anguish?

by First-person essay by Amanda Hooper May 1, 2026May 3, 2026

Two people in sports jerseys walk down an urban alley lined with shops and bars, passing by a sidewalk sign advertising tacos.

2026 Pittsburgh NFL Draft

We believed the NFL Draft hype and have the leftovers to prove it

by First-person essay by Lissa Brennan April 27, 2026May 21, 2026

Woman with long dark hair wearing a light-colored blazer over a black dress stands on a yellow bridge, resting one hand on the rail, with blurred buildings in the background.

The hard road from Pittsburgh culture shock to belonging

by First-person essay by Brenda Sanchez April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

A man stands under a large concrete overpass while several blurred figures walk past him on either side.

Did AI kill my job, or open up a next chapter?

by First-person essay by Austin Harvey April 10, 2026April 12, 2026

A person wearing sunglasses, a beige blazer, and a tie stands confidently in front of a building with a "GARDEN" sign.

Don’t tell anyone about Pittsburgh

by First-person essay by Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko April 3, 2026April 10, 2026

A person sits at a table counting cash. The table holds a mug, bottles, and other small items. A framed picture hangs on the wall behind them.

Fun and flexibility don’t justify tipless shifts and uncertain schedules for restaurant workers

First-person essay By Julia DeGregorio

March 27, 2026March 26, 2026

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