6 can’t-miss NWNY blog posts from 2016
Written by Anna Archibald
Though 2016 — a humdinger of a year for many people — is now happily in the past, New Women New Yorkers can’t help but take a look back at the many successes of the past 12 months. The organization saw 45 young immigrant women graduate from its LEAD program and hosted its first ever photo exhibit, Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York, in which young women immigrants shared their experiences as newcomers to America’s largest city. NWNY also launched LEAD for New Moms, pairing free professional development with free childcare, and raised nearly $20,000 to support the program with its end-of-year crowdfunding campaign and Winter Bash.
In addition to all these fantastic new ventures, the bloggers at NWNY have been busy interviewing young women immigrants from all over the city and sharing their stories on the NWNY blog. To kick your New Year off to a great start, check out these six interviews and features from the last year that exemplify the beauty and willpower of New York City’s immigrant community.
From left to right: Iranian-American comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh, Liberian-born Bushwick Film Festival founder Kweighbaye Kotee, Syrian second generation immigrant Nadia Romhen, and Brazilian transplant Nara Roberta were only a few of the women featured on NWNY’s blog in 2016.
From Kensington to Chittagong: A young activist on the rise
Eliza Relman talked to young immigrant woman, activist and writer Shahana Hanif, who reflects on what it means to be an American Muslim post-9/11.
How Kweighbaye Kotee is changing Bushwick forever
A Liberian immigrant and entrepreneur, Kotee is making waves in Brooklyn. Here, she talks to Khatia Mizkadze about how her background gave her a purpose and her advice for overcoming adversity.
Home Away From Home
In a series of posts new to the NWNY blog, Emily Barnard interviews immigrant women from Russia to Brazil about the places in NYC that remind them most of their home countries.
The power of food in refugee integration
Khatia takes a look at how food serves as a universal language that not only connects refugees with locals in New York City, but that has also led to the emergence of new non-for-profit kitchens around the world.
Children of immigrants: Nadia Romhen on feeling connected to family and the Middle Eastern community
In a Q&A with writer Aneta Molenda, Syrian second generation immigrant Nadia Romhen discusses how language is important to maintaining family and community ties.
Zahra Noorbakhsh defies Muslim women’s stereotypes one comedy show at a time
Iranian-American comedian, actress, and podcast host Zahra Noorbakhsh talks about her views on religion and family — and putting a humorous spin on them — with Jahaida Hernández Jesurum.
