The story behind the Aramark uniform

A family business, a janitorial position, raising her grandchildren, two degrees in public speaking and thanatology, and a working book. On top of that, she also does Zumba every day. Is there anything that Ana can’t do? I asked myself this question after I spent a day with her to learn how she balances these various facets of her life, and what lies behind her Aramark uniform that most don’t see past.

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, Ana Silvia López was raised in the Tlaquepaque area, a suburb of Guadalajara and one of Mexico’s beautiful pueblos mágicos or “magical towns,” primarily known for its pottery, art galleries, and craftsmanship. Pregnant with her first daughter, in 1987, López immigrated to the U.S. along with her ex-husband. The couple then settled in San Antonio, TX, where López began working various jobs, first at the Family Dollar, and then as a waitress at different Mexican restaurants. Afterward, she and her family moved to California, where she worked at the Holiday Inn Hotel, and suffered from a terrible accident that caused her to go through physical rehab for the following eight years. That physical rehabilitation led to a vocational one, and pushed her to study decorative arts and open a party supply business, which she still runs with her family today.

In 2014, López began working as a janitor for Aramark at USC. When interviewed, she described that being surrounded by students every day motivated her to complete an associate’s degree in public speaking, and then get a second one in thanatology––the study of loss, and the social and psychological factors that come with grief. After she concludes her second degree, she is planning on taking a webinar to begin writing a book about her life, experiences, and the loss of her daughter. She explained that, although they seem very different, public speaking and thanatology go hand-in-hand as the former helps one navigate how to best communicate directly and concretely with people who have suffered a loss, to then guide and advise them with the latter.

One of López’s greatest driving forces is her love for her grandchildren, two young boys who are under her care. “My life goal is to view things in a positive light as I have to set an example for my two grandchildren who look up to me,” López expressed teary-eyed. “In the future, I want my grandchildren to be able to ask themselves ‘what did my grandma leave us with?’ and see this great work which will push them to continue their studies, and say ‘yes’ to life.”

To balance all facets of her life, López described that it takes a lot of communication, organization, and support from her husband and family. Every day, she wakes up at 6 a.m. At 7:30 a.m., she leaves the kids at school. From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., she goes to daily Zumba classes. Then, she returns home and cleans the house so that it is ready for when her grandchildren arrive from school. Afterward, she goes to work at USC from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. After, she ends the day with a family dinner at home.

“I think empathy is a life tool that we all must have to help others, and help ourselves move forward too.”

Every day, López and Maria Batres, another USC janitor and one of López’s closest friends, eat lunch on the steps of the USC Bookstore. “Ana is a great co-worker, friend, and person overall. Even though she is from Mexico and I’m from El Salvador, we get along very well,” Batres fondly said. “I have come to care a lot for Ana, and her entire family.” Both share their lunch with each other, talk, and take a breather during their 30-minute break before getting back to work.

Tom Norris, Media Supervisor at USC’s Annenberg Media Center, similarly shared his admiration for López. “Every time I see Ana, she always has a big smile on her face. She helps me practice my Spanish with her, and I help her practice her English. I try to take time to say hi and she always says hi back, and I encourage others to do the same,” Norris said. “She’s a hard worker and a really nice lady. She’s worked here for a while, and everybody here [at Annenberg] loves her.” López’s empathy touches all of those who she encounters.

“When I drive by a graveyard, all I can think to myself is ‘I hope that all of these people died fulfilled and made their dreams come true.”

After asking her what life advice she would give to others, López explained that she finds it essential to surround herself with good people and live life to the fullest as once we leave this Earth, we will only carry our experiences and who we were as human beings.

“I would say that the best thing to do is to live with an open mind, an open heart, and have faith.”