I’m a Leeds mum from a council estate - this month I proudly watched my three daughters graduate
“I just look at them and think they’re beautiful, strong, and know what they want”
A woman from Leeds has said she is “full of gratitude” after watching her three daughters, who were raised on a council estate, graduate this month.
Seacroft-born sisters Molika, Leianna, and Kazaya Zubrzycki all celebrated their graduations at various ceremonies held within a week of each other.
22-year-old Leianna has achieved a degree in Criminology from Manchester Metropolitan University, while Molika, 24, and Kazaya, 21, have achieved degrees in Biomedical Science and Psychology and Criminology respectively from Leeds Beckett University.
Their mother Marion said she felt “really emotional” watching each of her daughters take to the stage.
“Watching them go across that stage and watching them throw their caps, it was just a really proud moment,” Marion told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I was full of gratitude and admiration for them sticking to the plan.”
The Zubrzycki sisters were raised by Marion as a single mother on a council estate in Seacroft.
Despite experiencing racism, financial pressures, and other challenges, the three young women remained “determined” to chase their dreams.
Marion said: “They’ve used any pain and turned that into fuel to make a better future for themselves.
“I just look at them and think they’re beautiful, strong, and know what they want.”
Molika, Leianna, and Kazaya, have always “cheered each other on” as they grew up in Seacroft South, one of the most deprived areas in Leeds.
Marion hopes her daughters can show the suburb has success stories and fantastic achievements.
She said: “If you see anything on social media to do with Seacroft, you see all the negative comments tarring everybody with the same brush.
“Look at these three - the odds that were stacked against them but look what you can do if you really want to do it and you’ve got a support network.”
For the future, Molika, Leianna, and Kazaya, are now excited to embark on work, further study, and adventures across the world.
As they take the world by storm, Marion hopes they prove that anything is doable if you put your mind to it.
“I always used to say to them if you want to get out of here and do well in life, you’ve got to put your education first,” Marion said.
“They’re homegrown young people that have come from a difficult situation but they’ve managed to bloom.”