Maryam Mendes

Maryam Mendes is a senior at Rutgers–New Brunswick, majoring in Psychology and Human Resource Management, with minors in Public Health and Health & Society. As a Black Muslim woman, she is deeply committed to understanding how intersectionality shapes health outcomes, representation, and systemic disparities. Her passion lies in addressing the long-standing neglect and misunderstanding of marginalized communities, particularly within the healthcare system. Maryam is especially interested in the role of media in shaping public perceptions and reinforcing biases that influence healthcare access and treatment. In high school, she co-hosted a video series on racial justice, which deepened her understanding of the systemic barriers Black communities face, particularly in medicine. This experience solidified her commitment to tackling racial health disparities, with a focus on maternal health. She hopes to use her education and advocacy to challenge these inequities and push for meaningful reform. She believes that through education, policy change, and community-driven action, we can dismantle the structures that allow these disparities to persist.