At the beginning of July, I flew back home to Australia, for what was the first time in three and a half years since I had left. While I had seen my parents and sister, and a number of extended relatives and friends, in that time, there were several people who mean a lot to me, that I had not seen: my four grandparents, family friends that I had known all my life, and friends from high school, university, and college.
Meet Jan, a devoted NWNY volunteer workshop facilitator and career counselor passionate about diversity and community. When Jan Kliger and I sat down to chat over a virtual call on a chilly December afternoon, I was immediately struck by her warmth, kindness, and openness. Jan’s passion for diversity is evident to anyone who talks with her. On the day we met, she had just attended her first Kwanzaa celebration online, which she enthusiastically described as “brilliant.” Jan has a degree...
On November 4, New Women New Yorkers (NWNY) and the Mayor’ Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) partnered to organize the workshop Intimate Partner Violence in the Community: What Can I Do?. The session was led by Training Programs and Initiatives Advisor of the ENDGBV Ermira Uldedaj, a fellow immigrant woman with 13 years of experience working with survivors of gender-based violence. A group of engaged community members and NWNY staff gathered to learn how we can respond to...
Since she moved to New York, Ilaria struggled with questions about her nationality. Joining our diverse community inspired her to regain pride in her origins. The question pops up almost immediately. Sometimes it is as fast as a “Hi, how are you?”. Other times they need to look at me, and it is hard to understand what helps them make the assumption. It never takes more than a few seconds before they ask: “Where are you from?” I have heard...