Building Bridges and Empowering Mothers: Darma’s Journey with NWNY and Happy Moms

Darma joined New Women New Yorkers in Fall 2023 as a participant in our LEAD program, where she immediately stood out for her enthusiasm, resilience, and dedication to personal growth. In 2024, she was selected for our Work-Based Learning Program, serving as a workshop facilitator for the Bridge to LEAD program in partnership with the Hispanic Federation. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Darma is not only a passionate advocate for immigrant women but also the founder of Happy Moms, a community focused on supporting mothers in balancing self-care and parenting. In this interview, Darma shares her inspiring journey with NWNY, her professional growth, and her vision for empowering women and mothers across borders.

What inspired you to join our community and programs, and then to participate in the Bridge to LEAD program as a work-based learner? 

What inspired me was the opportunity to connect with other women, adapt, and grow professionally in this new country. There was so much I didn’t know, but finding NWNY and completing the Bridge to LEAD program completely changed my perspective. It helped me set clear goals and understand that while starting from scratch in a new country is challenging, I still carry with me the experience and education from my home country. 

Being part of NWNY motivated me to inspire other women to keep going and realize that it’s possible to achieve our professional and career goals here. 

NWNY gave me the tools to dream big again and the community to believe in myself. 

How has your experience as a work-based learner facilitating the Bridge to LEAD program helped you grow professionally and adapt to a U.S. workplace environment?  What has been the most meaningful part of your work? 

The most meaningful part of my role as a facilitator was connecting with other women, hearing their stories, and witnessing the compassion and solidarity that grew throughout the program. 

The energy and dedication of both the participants and the facilitators reminded me that we are stronger together. On a personal and professional level, this experience helped me gain confidence as a facilitator, work on my public speaking skills, and continue sharing my passion for empowering others. 

It also motivated me to expand my online projects in the U.S., where I’ve been developing workshops and mentoring sessions focused on mental and emotional well-being. Additionally, it strengthened my commitment to obtaining my LMSW license. 

Could you share more about your vision for the Happy Moms community and what led you to create it? 

My vision for Happy Moms is to create a safe and supportive space where mothers can reconnect with themselves, establish healthy routines, and build stronger connections with their families. 

Happy Moms was founded in 2019 in Bogotá, Colombia, along with two of my close friends: Juliana (who now lives in the U.S.) and Julieth (who still lives in Colombia). It was born during a hike in the mountains of Bogotá, where we discussed the challenges we faced as single mothers at the time. 

We realized how much of our behavior stemmed from our childhood experiences and the importance of the first seven years of life in a child’s development. We dreamed of how a generation of loving and conscious parents could transform the world, and from that, Happy Moms was born. At first, we would meet regularly in the mountains, and over time, we grew by connecting with other women who faced similar challenges. A few months later, I moved to the U.S., and Happy Moms continued online, allowing us to maintain our mission through virtual workshops. In these workshops, I offer tools like yoga, meditation, intentional reading, respectful parenting strategies, and daily intention-setting exercises. These practices help mothers reconnect with themselves, establish healthier routines, and strengthen their family bonds.

What are some of the biggest challenges mothers face in balancing self-care with parenting, and how do your workshops help them address these challenges? 

One of the biggest challenges mothers face is finding balance between self-care and parenting. Many feel overwhelmed and struggle to find time for themselves while taking care of their families. Happy Moms’ workshops address this by encouraging mothers to incorporate small moments of intentional self-care into their daily routines, like practicing a short yoga session in the morning or setting a daily intention aligned with their values. The workshops also emphasize the importance of mindful parenting, helping mothers develop patience, empathy, and effective communication with their children. 

One challenge I’ve encountered here in the U.S. is adjusting the schedules of the workshops to accommodate the busy lives of mothers. This is something that Juliana and I are working on, as finding the right time for them to participate and benefit is crucial.  

My advice to other mothers is to start with small steps because even a few minutes of meditation or journaling can have a big impact. The most important thing is to be compassionate with themselves. Parenting is a journey, and prioritizing self-care is one of the greatest gifts they can give to their families. 

Looking ahead, what are your hopes for your professional journey and for the Happy Moms community? 

Looking ahead, I hope Happy Moms continues to grow into a vibrant and supportive network for mothers both in the U.S. and in other countries. We aim to offer more in-person workshops, collaborate with like-minded organizations, and create accessible resources in both English and Spanish to address the specific needs of our community. Professionally, I’m working on starting a master’s program here in New York and obtaining my LMSW license, which will allow me to provide more structured support to mothers and families who need it.  

Our mission for the future is to support all mothers, regardless of their circumstances, and this year we’ve begun expanding Happy Moms to the Latina community here in the U.S. You can also find us on Instagram at @happymomsnyc. Although our content is primarily in Spanish, we are working on creating posts in English as well. 

My ultimate goal is to empower as many mothers as possible to live with intention, strengthen their family connections, and create positive, lasting changes in their lives.