Thanksgiving for an immigrant woman in the United States is unlike any other holiday experience. It is a blend of unfamiliar traditions, heartfelt discovery, and quiet reflection—a moment where the journey of leaving one home and building another feels both overwhelming and beautiful.
Thanksgiving is a day centered around gratitude. For an immigrant woman experiencing it for the first time, it becomes a gathering of warmth, connection, and storytelling—a rare pause in the fast pace of American life. Every holiday in the U.S. carries a certain weight. It is a reminder of what was left behind, but also a doorway to new memories now being created. Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to step into a cultural tradition never known before, yet feel genuinely welcome.
Watching families cook together, laughing over recipes passed down for generations, can be a mesmerizing experience. Turkey—massive and golden—cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pies lined up across the counter all showcase the love poured into the holiday. Explanations of the holiday’s meaning, the generosity of sharing a plate, and the inclusive spirit of the celebration create a sense of belonging that may initially be unexpected.
For immigrant women, gratitude comes with layers. It extends beyond safety, opportunity, and stability to include resilience, courage, and the support received along the journey. During the Thanksgiving, reflections often emerge on the Family left behind across the ocean, Friends who have become a new support system, the struggles that shaped the journey and the hope that guided the move to a new country
Thanksgiving can become a mirror, reflecting both the past and the new identity forming in a foreign land.
The most meaningful part of Thanksgiving is not the food, but the sense of inclusion. Sitting at a table where people genuinely listen and share traditions fosters feelings of being seen and welcomed. Curiosity about personal stories, combined with the generosity of opening one’s traditions to newcomers, creates a profound sense of belonging.
Over time, Thanksgiving evolves into a holiday of emotional depth, blending heritage with American customs. Dishes from home can be incorporated alongside traditional recipes, and new immigrant friends can be invited, creating spaces for shared stories and collective celebration.
For many immigrant women, Thanksgiving becomes a symbol of hope, new beginnings, and the strength required to build a life in a new land. Even far from home, moments of joy, connection, and belonging emerge, illustrating the universal nature of gratitude across cultures.
She Carries Culture 