First person Archives - Page 4 of 34 - Pittsburgh's Public Source

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, 2025June 4, 2026

A man in a suit jacket stands between shelves filled with law books, resting his arm on one shelf and looking slightly to the side.

Community storytelling

The most moving graduation I attended was in prison

by First-person essay by David Harris June 24, 2025June 26, 2025

A woman in a blue floral dress sits on a stone bench outdoors, holding framed photos of two different people, one black and white, one color.

At a tough time, facing a big decision, I asked: What would my grandmas do?

by First-person essay by Judy Cohen June 13, 2025June 25, 2025

Natalia Connor stands outdoors on a sunny day, smiling at the camera. Trees and greenery are visible in the background.

From Allderdice to SXSW, I’ve urged that youth voices be heard

by First-person essay by Natalia Connor May 30, 2025May 30, 2025

A group of people walk along a city sidewalk at dusk, some carrying bags and wearing casual clothes. Jordan Mondell, at center, pulls a cart of supplies to hand out to people in need throughout downtown Pittsburgh. Dusk falls on the buildings around them.

Working in homeless services can be draining, but I found reason for hope in Pittsburgh

by First-person essay by Jordan Mondell May 23, 2025May 22, 2025

An adult and a child wearing glasses sit on a couch, smiling and reading a book together.

The hardest decision I ever made for my son

by First-person essay by Amy Whipple May 2, 2025May 4, 2025

A person gestures toward a robotic device on a workbench in a lab, with complex mathematical equations written on a whiteboard in the background.

Hearing ‘it doesn’t matter, you are a girl,’ sealed my fate as an engineer

by First-person essay by Melisa Orta Martinez April 25, 2025April 24, 2025