Finding a Job in America: the shared stories, humor and surprise of NYC
Written by Hannah Wood
On December 4, New Women New Yorkers (NWNY) sat together with 120 of its closest friends for an occasion of storytelling and reflection. Finding a Job in America — A Night of Comedy and Horror, presented by Immigrant Women was a momentous event celebrating the achievements of the creative, entrepreneurial, and diverse NWNY community.
To open the evening, Founder and CEO Arielle Kandel reflected upon the achievements of the NWNY team over the last five years. Above all, she noted, this was a celebration for new graduates of LEAD – the organization’s flagship workforce development program. Using storytelling as a medium, the event provided space for partners and supporting audience members to discover and honor the heartfelt testimonies of immigrant women. Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Guardian Life, Michael Carren, shared his remarks and his appreciation for the NWNY mission. He continued, praising the team’s success in serving hundreds of women.
The mood was electric as supporters and partner groups helped NWNY commemorate its community’s achievements with artistic performances by women from diverse backgrounds representing China, Colombia, Ecuador, Guinea, India, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine. Rather than partake in a traditional graduation ceremony, several LEAD graduates graciously agreed to share their narratives. The room was full of mixed emotions, including laughter, tears, as well as many sighs of agreement charged by shared experience.
Participants mix and mingle over delicious food before NWNY participants share their narratives. Picture: Tainah Picanço The menu was international, with tabule, churros, dumplings and much more. Picture: Tainah Picanço From left, NWNY community members Anna, Maria, Deepika, Alina and Olga. Picture: Tainah Picanço
In her testimony, Sara shared her remarks about the LEAD program. “It is a professional sisterhood where we enrich ourselves in our cultural differences. It is that feeling of welcoming to the greatest country in the world where we have heard immigrants and refugees are not welcome anymore,” she stated. Maria also noted her key take away from this journey: “I graduated from the LEAD program with the confidence that I am able to start a career in a new country. During NWNY events I met new friends and I built a supportive community.” In her speech, Deepika acknowledged that the NWNY program truly changed her life and made her feel less alone in the struggle of finding a job in New York. Olya smirked, bringing humor into her testimony: “Being an actor requires hearing a lot of ‘no’s’ and rejections. I’ve had a pretty similar experience while networking and going through job interviews.” Diaraye shared that she felt like she was on her own but that the NWNY program helped her get a job almost instantly. “During the program, I was able to strengthen my resume, and I also went through several job interview trainings and practices.”
In the second half of the evening, performing artists Montserrat Vargas and Sandie Luna brought their expertise to work with LEAD participants to compose a theatrical performance. Immigrants themselves, they work to bring light to the importance of female immigrant perspectives to contemporary and performing arts. Together, with LEAD graduates Alexandra, Anna, Anastassiya, Sandra, and Sarah, they helped orchestrate a moving performance using elements of storytelling, acting, and music. The performance was both humorous, heartbreaking, shocking, and surprising, moving the audience to rise in a final joyful applause.
