First person Archives - Page 3 of 33 - Pittsburgh's Public Source

A person with blue hair and glasses stands in front of a brick wall mural featuring black-and-white wings decorated with colorful international flags.

How the sound of children delighting in something the world had thrown away changed me

by First-person essay by Samantha Sunshine Rave September 26, 2025September 28, 2025

A split-screen image shows empty prison cells on the left and a woman with long blonde hair and a brown top against a green backdrop on the right.

In Pennsylvania, we can do better than caging kids

by First-person essay by Jamie Silvonek September 19, 2025September 18, 2025

They said ‘be a secretary,’ but instead I’m the official artist of the Garbage Olympics

by First-person essay by Maria DeSimone Prascak September 12, 2025September 24, 2025

A woman in a Steelers jersey and a man in a Bills jersey sit at a table with an autographed NFL football.

I’ve been a Steelers fan since age 10, but wish more Pittsburgh kids loved the arts

by First-person essay by Kate Oczypok September 5, 2025September 11, 2025

A man in a wheelchair smiles and gives a high-five to a standing person, surrounded by people in red and yellow shirts in an indoor setting.

Paralyzed by police, I raged — but now I urge others to wear the badge

by First-person essay by Leon Ford August 8, 2025August 7, 2025

A man standing in a kitchen with food on a tray.

At 16, I fused my passions for food and dialogue into a project bridging divides in Pittsburgh

by First-person essay by Laurence Park August 1, 2025July 31, 2025

Woman in a bright pink blazer sits on a chair in a home office with a desk, computer, and creative wall decorations.

For me, learning to be a person involved a diagnosis, self-advocacy and starting my own business

by First-person essay by Shannon Parris July 25, 2025July 27, 2025

A woman in a floral dress sits on a white blanket in a park, holding a notebook, with green grass and trees in the background.

I left Pittsburgh seeking growth as a Black professional. Then I came home and found what I was looking for.

by First-person essay by Maia Williams July 11, 2025July 11, 2025

I am an artist. So why now, when I need art the most, do I feel so unable to engage with it?

by First-person essay by Eli Kurs-Lasky July 3, 2025July 2, 2025

A crowded public pool with many people swimming and relaxing on the surrounding grassy area; a lifeguard umbrella is visible in the foreground.

Public pools made me feel at home in Pittsburgh. Let’s keep them afloat.

by First-person essay by Hanna Theile June 27, 2025July 3, 2025