Meet Claudia Morcelo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Morcelo. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Philanthropist, public communicator, business owner, and journalist. Claudia Pellegrino has worn many hats. She was born in Perú and immigrated to the US at 13. Like many (very) young women, she became a mother when she was 16. Unlike many of those, however, Claudia persisted with her dreams. Armed with a degree in Communications from George Mason University in Virginia, she gained vast experience in social work in both the US and Latin America. Her background as both an immigrant and a young mother gave her the unique ability to empathize with many of her clients. 

Pellegrino’s dedicated work with under-resourced communities, providing training and connecting vulnerable communities to essential services, led to her recognition as “Volunteer of the Year” by the Mayor of City of Fairfax, Virginia. In 2019, Claudia received the prestigious Sharon Bulova Award for her outstanding leadership and excellence in Fairfax County. She has been featured in El Tiempo Latino as one of the most influential Latinas in Fairfax County for her contributions to healthcare accessibility in Virginia. 

Pellegrino oversees the Community Outreach and Engagement Unit for Fairfax County and is responsible for providing resources and educating and empowering underserved communities. She also collaborates with Spanish and English television and radio networks. In addition, she actively supports teen mothers in their pursuit of higher education. Ms. Pellegrino is also currently working on her master’s degree in public administration. 

In addition to her professional commitments, Claudia hosts a bilingual YouTube channel called “The Story Behind the Story.” On this platform, she shares inspiring stories to motivate and bring hope to her audience through the testimonies of those who have lived them. She has just published her first autobiography, “Mamá A Los 16,” which chronicles her personal journey as a teen mom. By telling her own story, Ms. Pellegrino hopes to show other young women that, despite finding themselves in difficult circumstances, they can still make choices about their own lives and control their own futures. 

Mamá A Los 16 

Claudia seems to have everything: a nice house, a stable family, and a good education, offering plenty of opportunities. However, the sudden and mysterious death of a loved one signals that her charmed life is about to change. As her economic circumstances decline, she is compelled to not only leave her comfortable neighborhood, but also to assume responsibilities far beyond her years. She becomes the surrogate parent for her younger sisters while her parents work to provide for the family, as well as to save their marriage. Despite their best efforts, keeping the family together is beyond their reach. Claudia leaves her father behind and heads north. Her new life in the United States, however, forces her to mature rapidly. Lonely and isolated, she seeks the love she has left behind. As has happened to so many others, she gains far more than she sought. While navigating the uncertain and tumultuous path of being a teenage mother, Claudia remains determined not to become part of another statistic. Despite a series of dead-end jobs and multiple obstacles in her struggle to continue her education, she kept her dream foremost in her mind. As she faces adversity head-on, the story unfolds into a testament of resilience, showcasing the transformative power of education and the unwavering spirit of a young girl woman determined to shape her destiny against all odds. She would fight the prejudice she faced—against her age, her ethnicity, her status, and her gender— and, with her daughter by her side, she would earn her university degree—and much, much more. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Balancing parenting responsibilities, financial constraints, and adapting to a new cultural and educational system. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I oversee the Community Outreach and Engagement Division of my county, and I’m also a journalist and Public Communicator. I work in underserved communities to break down barriers to provide public health education and resources so they can achieve optimal health. My responsibilities include planning and implementing health initiatives, building trust in community, impart equity and make sure no one is left behind. I specialize in building bridges with “hard-to-reach communities” to make sure they have access to public health information and resources like everyone else. I’m known for my” boots on the ground approach”. I’m quick at changing my heels for tennis shoes and connect with those in need at a personal level. With this approach, I have opened lines of communication with isolated communities and built strong partnerships, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

What sets me apart from the rest is my perseverance and resilience. As someone who was frequently rejected in college applications, jobs, student loans, etc. I persevered and obtained two college degrees and currently working on my masters, when I was told on multiple occasions that I will most likely (as a teen mom) be part of the statistics and not achieve a college degree. 

Presently, I mentor teen moms and share my testimony to help others. “I’ve been in their shoes,” so that gives me credibility in what I’m sharing. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I always say, ” I’ll jump in the pool and then learn how to swim.” Since I was young, I’ve learned to take risks, and that has been the key to my professional and personal growth. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.claudiapellegrino.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiapellegrino01/#
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudia.pellegrino.311/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ybHToZtyBxdd6jX9ZWzUg

Image Credits
Juan Carlos Fuentes
Francesca Cardoza