Past Scholars List
Jinette, a single mother from New York, has always envisioned herself as someone who would be successful in life while serving her community. From humble beginnings, Jinette remained persistent in the goal to achieve an education, not just for herself, but to also be a role model to her 13-year-old son. Juggling motherhood, her personal education and a job working as a paraprofessional for the Department of Education, Jinette still develops inventive ways for her and her son to study together. Jinette’s goal is to continue to work for the New York City Board of Education but to use her new degree to become a bilingual speech-language pathologist with children from pre-k up to 6th grade.
“I want to be able to make a positive change and impact on children within my community. I yearn to be a form of representation for the children who look like me. For them to be able to dream big and see themselves in me and hopefully be inspired by my work.”
Carmen grew up plagued by food and shelter insecurity and household members suffering from alcoholism and depression without the resources to address them. With those basic necessities for survival unmet, education could not be a priority. But at 23, Carmen’s children became the motivation she needed to make the changes necessary to become the person she wanted to be. After researching and enrolling in the Borough of Manhattan Community College 24-cc program which allowed her to obtain college credits and her GED simultaneously, Carmen pushed forward and earned her associate’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2019. She did so despite obstacles such as job loss, lack of childcare, and domestic violence. Now, Carmen is on track to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in December 2022.
“I know I will become successful and teach my children to always lead their path.” – Carmen Acosta
Growing up in Ghana, Ama enjoyed learning and her father made sure to instill the importance of education in Ama and all of her sisters. Due to pressures to conform to specific gender roles, after the death of her father (her only true advocate for education), Ama dropped out of high school. Ama’s second chance at education came in 2016, upon navigating to the United States. In 2018, Ama achieved her GED and began her journey in higher education. Since, Ama managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA at Bronx Community College. During the pandemic, Ama experienced the difficulties that many students globally faced, but as a mother, she was faced with a unique set of obstacles. With the help of the Education Fund, Ama will be able to achieve her goals. Since Ama’s young adult years, she always knew she wanted to be a nurse, but it wasn’t until the birth of her first child, that she became certain of the career that would make her life most meaningful. Ama began to pursue an Associate degree in Dietetics and Nutrition at Bronx Community College with the goal of becoming a nurse-midwife and then moved on to pursue her bachelor’s degree at New York University – Meyers School of Nursing in the Fall of 2021. Ama’s long-term and career goal is to earn her master’s degree in nurse-midwifery by 2026. After her post-graduate degree, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree in nursing practice to support special needs patients. As a nurse-midwife, Ama’s life goal is to continually advocate for safe and supportive healthcare for women during pre-conception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
In 2018, four years after immigrating to America from Ghana, Doreen became a widow, forcing herself to become the breadwinner for herself and two young sons. Doreen struggled to balance her new roles as a single-mother and sole financial source for her home, working long hours and often returning home too exhausted to spend quality family time. Doreen began to realize that here were many other individuals in her community of the South Bronx that were also single-parent households and struggling with keeping children on the right educational path. While pondering how our education system could better support single-parents to keep their children in school, Doreen’s aspiration for a career in education law and advocacy was born. Doreen’s dream is to create and advocate for initiatives and resources that simultaneously address the academic and socio-economic needs of the students in her community, especially those from single-parent households. Doreen is currently completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education at the City College of New York, and plans to work as a teacher in a public elementary school in the South Bronx after graduating in 2023.
“I believe I can make a difference in the academic and socio-economic lives of students in my South Bronx community and beyond through a career in education and advocacy.” – Doreen Ahumah
Julia always had a propensity for entrepreneurship, cultivating valuable leadership lessons and skills while playing team sports. Julia’s entrepreneurship skills expanded when she collaborated with her husband and their three children as they grew a successful construction, development, and design business. Sadly, Julia and her husband lost the business during the 2008 recession, and four years later, her husband passed away, leaving Julia to raise their children. A woman of perseverance, Julia pivoted her career path and enrolled at New York University. Julia chose to major in Business Leadership and Management Studies with a concentration in International Business and Global Management. Julia can continue her plans to work in finance as a financial planner or venture into career opportunities such as sustainable international business. Julia hopes to build a modern marketplace on a global scale to be part of the solution for a better tomorrow.
“My dedication, perseverance and leadership skills have aided me to find early success at NYU and I feel prepared and confident I will complete my degree with an expected graduation date of Fall 2023.” – Julia Anelli
After giving birth to her third daughter in 2016, Temitope began to feel the cultural pressures that many women in Nigeria feel concerning their bodies. Temitope’s husband and his family began to pressure Temitope to have this controversial cultural practice performed on her daughters, leading her to emigrate to the US in 2017. Working past her fears of starting a new life, Temitope returned to school in the fall of 2019 to pursue a degree in nursing, beginning with earning an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Although her path in education has come with severe financial hardships, with the assistance from the Education Fund award, Temitope will be able to achieve her goal; becoming a practicing field nurse and returning to Nigeria to establish programs that educate people about the physical and psychological dangers of female genital mutilation.
“I will create opportunities that support women who are parents of female children facing such pressure, providing resources to empower and allow them to do what is right for their daughters.”
Maria was 20 years old when she left Cuba and moved to Floria with her family, and as an immigrant, her journey has been “colored by the pillars of struggle and perseverance.” Maria’s educational path came with many twists and turns. To help her family, Maria secured a full-time job and enrolled at Florida International University to study Business
Administration. Three years later, Maria dropped, as she was struggling to understand her classes, and subjects like Macroeconomics and Statistics were proving to be difficult. Maria chose instead to work until she could re-enroll in the future. By 2004, Maria started leaning into her passions, looking further into politics, and after working in several political campaigns through the years, she decided she wanted to do more. Maria decided to return to school and finish her lifelong dream. While raising her son, Maria worked full-time, and continued to volunteer for political campaigns, obtaining an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies and Associate of Arts in Pre-Law, with Honors. Maria is currently a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (PTK), of Lambda Epsilon Chi National Honor Society (LEX) and MDC – Honors Day Award recipient for academic achievement in the field of Paralegal Studies. Maria is currently attending Columbia University to finish her Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights. After graduating, Maria’s goal and dream is to become a Foreign Service Officer with the US State Department. Money from the Women’s Forum Education will help Maria alleviate some of her current financial burden and help her elderly mother while her son can also attend college.
Becoming legally emancipated at the age of 16, Jade was able to move away from a volatile relationship with her parents but became a single mother facing a new set of challenges. Jade dropped out of high school but was able to receive her GED and was able to make ends meet by picking up work in the restaurant industry. After 20 years of working in the restaurant industry, she looked at the COVID pandemic and the massive shutdown of NYC restaurants as an opportunity to change her career and embark on a new path. Jade enrolled at Borough of Manhattan Community College and began taking courses across many different disciplines. She is now the proud mother of four children and is enrolled in an interdisciplinary program at NYU Gallatin exploring the intersectionality of science and social justice through topics like ecofeminism, bioethics, plant and fungal biology, and community herbalism. Jade is actively involved in her community and recently worked to compile over a decade’s worth of citizen science that evaluates the pollution levels of New York City’s waterways.
“I have seen first-hand in my own community garden how we can become independent of oppressive systems through connecting with the land on your own block and I truly believe that gardening is a tool for social justice.” – Jade Brown-Godfrey
After surviving a deep depression, Bree made the hard but rewarding choice to never give up on herself. After a decade practicing the culinary arts, Bree enrolled in paramedic school, graduating Valedictorian. Currently, Bree is studying Global History and Cell and Molecular Biology, maintaining 3.5 GPA and the praise of her instructors. Prior to Bree’s entrance into the field of pre-hospital emergency care, she worked as a professionally trained chef. After attending culinary school, Bree opened her own business, Baking by Bree. The business eventually became successful but experienced the challenges typical of a small enterprise. Bree is determined to become Dr. Bree Brown-Rosa.
“I have made many detours on the road to becoming a physician and was nearly thwarted by my own hand. But, I survived and will continue to do so. That’s the stuff that leaders are made of.”
Kasey was born a creative and fierce child. Gregarious and hungry for life and impossible when it came to sitting still, much less focusing on the teacher or schoolwork. Therapy and medication went a long way with this, but in 1994, Kasey’s family suffered a loss when their home burned down, and she took heed of the power of medicine and outside substances to treat her insides. Kasey’s family moved every year after the fire. Her father, David Buckley, was the first to graduate college in his family and start his own business. Not long after the fire, her father grew ill with a brain disease and after a decade of deterioration, Early-onset Alzheimer’s took his life. Throughout her adolescence, Kasey turned to drugs and alcohol to cope. Had it not been for her mother’s long-suffering and insistence, Kasey would not have graduated from high school. Kasey would continue her struggle with drugs and alcohol until she moved to New York at 35 years old, got sober, and reunited with her long-since love for writing and the human condition. Kasey is working to release a short story collection, as well as developing scripts for television and film. She has a goal of becoming an adjunct creative writing professor, as well as providing literacy mentorship to those who need it. Grown or not.
“I wish to offer a bit of the oxygen that was given to me in times when I couldn’t breathe.” – Kasey Buckley
Oxana’s journey began overseas, shaped by humble beginnings and the compassionate example of her mother, who was a nurse. Despite financial hardships, she pursued education with determination. At 49, Oxana started anew in America, driven by a fierce ambition to follow her mother’s path. Adapting to a new culture and language, she navigated unfamiliar educational systems, propelled by her deep desire to care for others in vulnerable moments. Oxana has balanced her studies with her commitments has a single parent. For her, nursing is more than a career—it’s a calling. Oxana is guided by a profound duty to her community and seeks to make a meaningful impact by offering solace to her patients. Her story epitomizes perseverance and an enduring legacy of compassion passed through generations.
“As I continue my journey towards becoming a nurse, I carry with me the lessons learned from overcoming challenges.” – Oxana Bukher
Erika Caballero grew up in Peru with a passion for learning the human body, leading her towards a career in nursing. After personal circumstances caused Erika to put her nursing career on hold, she eventually found her way to software engineering. Motivated by the impact technology has on society and a desire to make an impact, Erika’s goal is to become a software engineer and build new applications that will help people. Erika’s other desire to continue her education is to learn a new language. When she first came to the U.S., Erika knew that learning English was the key to her career success. Without it, she felt she could not work or express her thoughts. Similarly, Erika sees coding as a similar skill – a new universal language that she can learn and master to help achieve her goals. After graduating, Erika plans to combine her love for language and helping people and wishes to create bilingual applications for people who do not speak English. With the help of the Education Fund, Erika will be closer to achieving her goals.
Michelle is a mother of 3, youth community organizer, member of Harlem’s local Community Board 9, business partner of UptownBirdies.com and children’s mental health advocate. Clearly, she is a beacon of hope in her community. In becoming aware of her PTSD stemming from childhood traumas, Michelle became motivated to change the narrative of her past and, in 2007, enrolled in Berkeley College for a fresh start. Since then, Michelle has continued her drive to help children, teaching in small daycares in Harlem and Brooklyn with a focus on those with special needs. In an attempt to become her own daycare director, Michelle discovered she did not have the qualifications and would need a B.S. in early childhood education. The Education Fund Award will aid Michelle in achieving her dreams of being a staple in Harlem, healing and bringing knowledge to children and her community.
“My passion is to combine nature, mindfulness, and art in a storefront daycare, teaching these qualities to the young minds of Harlem. My background and passion will help fight against the rise of anxiety and depression while promoting solidity.”
Demonstrating perseverance and determination, Donna overcame adverse circumstances to pursue her education. Through her psychology major and minor in environmental sustainability, Donna’s career plan is to work on understanding how human decision-making impacts the environment to reduce pollution and climate change.
“My main goal is to remain happy, healthy, and a good role model.” – Donna Calloway
Elena is pursuing her first associates in nursing at age 37 against formidable odds. Growing up in poverty outside of the U.S., she is the first in her family to attend college. After moving to the United States, Elena endured exploitative jobs, due to her immigration status and the language barrier. Despite a divorce, financial hardship, and single motherhood, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of her childhood dream to enter the field of medicine. Maintaining an impressive 3.8 GPA throughout her nursing program, Elena’s dedication was clear. She returned to classes just days after the birth of her son. Her newborn child increased her motivation to secure a stable future for them both. Elena sees herself as a role model, demonstrating the power of perseverance and resilience. She continues to embrace each challenge while striving to fulfill her dreams and inspire others.
“I am defined by what I do next therefore I will keep moving forward!” – Elena Carpencova
Sheila’s educational drive and path in life developed from her very intimate and challenging experience in raising her son Kaleb, a special needs child. After receiving her son’s abrupt diagnosis, Sheila became driven to educate herself so that she can be an integral part of the network of professionals and doctors involved in her son’s intervention. With career goals to obtain a bachelor’s degree in disabilities studies, become a special education teacher in the early childhood field and to ultimately acquire a Master’s of Science in Education to become a child psychologist, the Women’s Forum Education Fund Award will bring Sheila closer to meeting her big goals. Working first-hand with her son has taught Sheila greater empathy for children with disabilities. In order to advocate for special needs children, Sheila believes the most effective tool to accomplish this, is education.
“I intend to be as proactive as possible in my son’s betterment by pursuing my own through education. The 2020 Women’s Forum Education Award will provide me with the opportunity to complete the studies to acquire the knowledge and skills to help children with disabilities.”
Founder and president of the South Asian Creative Women Organization, Popy has centered her path in bringing awareness to the oppression that many South Asian women experience. After witnessing and experiencing first-hand sorrows, struggles, disrespect, and inequalities placed upon South Asian women by their families, religion or communities, Popy was moved to action. She has attended seminars, published books and a quarterly magazine and provided free computer training through her organization. As a new media technology student, Popy believes in the importance of helping other women like herself gain the creative and technical skills to empower themselves.
“The Women’s Forum Education Fund Award could help me make my dream come true. It will help me achieve my goals in continuing my studies and successfully achieving a PhD in Women and Gender Culture.”
Depression was a recurring obstacle to Charlotte’s life when trying to complete her goals – her illness holding her back from completing her schooling. At the age of 19, Charlotte moved to Italy where she worked in an art gallery and began teaching English. Eventually, Charlotte’s journey lead her to wanting to pursue higher education. After years of working as a nanny, Charlotte developed the desire to become a teacher. Since March, Covid has transformed Charlotte’s role as a nanny to that of a tutor; teaching the children under her care remotely for five months. Finding the entire experience both stimulating and fulfilling, Charlotte knew that teaching was her calling. Inspired by the positive effect she had on the children, and having personally seen the inequalities in the local public school which they attend, Charlotte discovered the Common Denominator charity, a non-profit, whose mission is to help in-need middle school students learn to love math and to provide free one-to-one tutoring and mentorship to ensure that they are able to achieve their potential.
“I want to be a high school math teacher for all the students for whom math and other STEM subjects are intimidating. It is vital to encourage those who may previously have had no inspiration or encouragement to study these.”
Through her passion for painting and drawing while in school, Janette learned how art could inspire and generate joy in individuals from all walks of life. Janette soon realized she had another passion- understanding people and learning about what makes each person tick, leading her to focus her studies in forensic psychology. Being a frequent visitor in the Family Court system gave Janette special insight to the many injustices children and families face on a daily basis and gave her the push to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology and to eventually earn her PhD.
“Passion manifests from the heart and is guided by practice and will. As a child and adult I have always had a propensity to help others and have gravitated towards individuals in need, whether professionally or as a human being.”
Born to Dominican immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Doris began to realize her strength as a Latin American woman from an underrepresented part of Brooklyn. From a young age, Doris’s parents instilled the importance of education in her and her siblings. With a passion for correcting the injustices existing in our society happening to children, Doris knows that it will take the completion of her degree if she hopes to bring about substantive changes in the criminal justice and child welfare systems.
“I am going to pursue my dream of working in public administration and start implementing changes in the way we deal with abused children and the people who break laws concerning children.”
Returning to school was a necessity for Lisa as a single mother that had spent the previous 15 years raising children and supporting her family. Having always been interested in health sciences, she decided to enroll in a nursing program that would advance a new career in public health while providing better financial security for herself and her family. Despite obstacles with finding financial support, Lisa has continued the pursuit of her degree, earning her AAS in just 2 years while graduating at the top of her class. She has already received her nursing license and is working in the field she wants to be in while completing her BSN at Hunter College.
“I am excited to continue my education and bring what I have learned into my community to help support the lives of families and their children.” – Lisa Daniels
Christine’s journey toward becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is driven by both personal and professional motivations. Her commitment to healthcare deepened after receiving a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, inspiring her to advocate for better access to care. Her involvement with the National Black Nurses Association, particularly in mental health advocacy, underscores her dedication to addressing stigma and promoting healthcare access in underserved communities. Despite facing immense personal challenges, including the loss of her twin boys and managing her MS symptoms, Christine’s academic resilience remains. She has also combined her passion for healthcare with entrepreneurship, creating a line of scrubs. Her journey is a testament to the strength that emerges from adversity, and she hopes to inspire others by using those personal struggles to make meaningful contributions to healthcare and community well-being.
“I aspire to become a beacon of hope, showing others that despite the darkest of circumstances, one can find the strength to rise above adversity.” – Christine Dasque
Aimee endured years of struggling with substance abuse, but in doing so, met several amazing people in the numerous health care facilities she visited. Inspired by their selfless nature and desire to heal others’ suffering, Aimee began volunteering in an outpatient substance abuse facility where she was receiving treatment. She also spent a year volunteering in the emergency room at New York Presbyterian, a role that really ignited the fire inside her to heal. From these experiences, Aimee has chosen to pursue a career as a nuclear medicine technologist and aims to complete her studies at Bronx Community College.
“I want to continue the long overdue trend of encouraging younger women to pursue careers in STEM fields. If I still believed the story I told myself for 30 years that I was not good at math or science, I would have closed myself off to a whole world of opportunities. That is my ambition for the future.”
Immigrating to the United States in October 2011, Marie found herself isolated and unsure of what opportunities were available to her while enduring her husband’s physical and psychological abuse. Marie found refuge in education and attended LaGuardia Community College but was forced to drop out by her husband in 2014. She was still determined to find ways to satisfy her desire to learn and find community. Marie discovered the Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership, which serves mothers and children in Harlem and where she joined a support group for French speakers in 2018. Thanks to this organization and the bonds she made with other members in her support group, Marie gained the courage to leave her husband and moved into a shelter with her daughter. She now attends Columbia University and as a survivor of domestic violence herself, is motivated to become a social worker to help end the code of silence surrounding domestic abuse in African immigrant communities. It is Marie’s ultimate goal to open a women’s center in the Bronx which will teach English language skills, financial literacy, and provide career coaching.
“I have dealt with many setbacks, but I think they represent a launchpad to propel my career choices and make me the best type of social worker—one who listens to others and embraces their dreams.” – Marie Danielle Dere
Growing up, Eileen witnessed substance abuse and domestic violence at home. When she was 17, she left home, obtained her GED, started working, and unfortunately wound up in an abusive relationship. Eileen became a single mother at 19 after escaping the abusive relationship. Social workers assisted Eileen in finding a place for herself and her daughter to live in NYCHA. A few years after her second child was born, Eileen began taking college classes. Sadly, completing an associate degree was hampered by a
required math class, placing the pursuit of her degree on hold for several years. In 2021, Eileen decided to enroll in a class that would assist in passing the math course and obtaining an Associate Degree in Science, majoring in mental health and human service. This topic is very close to Eileen’s heart as her younger daughter struggles with her mental health. Eileen’s desired educational path includes finishing both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work.
“I want to contribute towards making mental health services available for people overall and raise awareness and continue to work on diminishing the stigma of mental health.” – Eileen Dominick
Upon reaching her 30s, Kristi had the desire to alter her lifestyle to create a more sustainable living for her family, leading her to educate herself in a career of computer programming. As Kristi is finishing up her fourth semester as a part-time computer science student at Columbia University, she has never felt more enthusiastic and concrete about her career path. Inspired by Joshua, her autistic nephew, Kristi desires a future where assistive robotics greatly improves the lives of those with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, MD, autism, and more importantly, is available to those who need them. After being accepted to Columbia’s School of General Studies, Kristi explored her aptitude for computer science and started the process of joining teams researching those technologies. Her passion for helping those with disabilities extended to her community and since 2016, she has led weekly sports programs for KEEN, a non-profit that provides free recreational activities to children with disabilities. Although she lost her job last year to the pandemic, Kristi saw this obstacle as a catalyst to propel her towards new heights and further propel her in her studies. With the help of the Education Fund, Kristi can achieve her goal of achieving her degree, which will be crucial as one day, as she wishes to lead a team of researchers, engineers, and programmers, “so that we may all “transcend our limits” in assistive robotics innovation.”
Chanel first embarked on her college career at 17, but due to severe anxiety and her mental health being crippled, Chanel had to take time to address many questions about her life and future. Raising a daughter who has been diagnosed with ADHD further encouraged Chanel – having learned to manage her own anxiety, Chanel understood the necessary patience that is required to help her daughter excel in her education. Although supporting a child with ADHD has slowed down her academic progress, Chanel is proud of her journey. Inspired from her experience as an Uber driver and the conversations she often found herself in, Chanel’s ultimate goal is to own a full service media company to support the needs of her community. She wishes to provide opportunities for people in her community to have exposure to different forms and aspects of media. Returning to school during the pandemic has been exceptionally difficult for Chanel an receiving this award would allow Chanel the opportunity to complete her degree without causing a financial stress on herself or for her children. Chanel currently serves as a parent member at the Department of Education where she supports parents in the process to receive services for their children with disabilities. Chanel also writes for the Daily News and Village Voice to get the word out about the policies affecting parents with children who have disabilities.
Rainbow has always been determined to teach. She is inspired daily by the joy she gets watching the eyes of her young students light up, in response to learning something new. As a child, Rainbow did not have the best schooling experience. She recalls often hearing her teachers make disparaging remarks about her intelligence and that of her fellow students. This motivated Rainbow to become the teacher she had always wanted — one who was loving, compassionate, encouraging and understanding. For the past 10 years, Rainbow has dedicated herself to teaching pre-K and kindergartners at a private school. She now aims to broaden her teaching skills by receiving a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education followed by a master’s degree which will allow her to obtain her New York State Teaching Certification so that she may teach in New York City’s public schools.
“With everything I have gone through I always felt like I was born to suffer, but through my suffering came strength, resilience, willpower, perseverance, and a testimony to share with other women going through difficult situations.” – Rainbow Farr
El Shaymaa, currently a community service leader in her region, desires to play a key role in assisting people who are encompassed in a variety of social problems. With her desire to become a social worker, El Shaymaa wishes to focus her aid to immigrants and refugee families as well as couples with the aim of shaping them for the desired behavioral change. Having spent most of her time in transforming society by helping members of the community, El Shaymaa has been able to identify important issues that will play a critical role in assisting in poverty eradication, disease elimination as well as ensuring that communities have been empowered in terms of educational programs and finances.
“Women Education Fund will play a very critical role in enabling me to complete my studies, which are almost over. Later, I will be able to get a more secure job, which will allow me to meet the fundamental obligations of the family.”
Timeeka is deeply committed to caring for others, aspiring to heal and restore individuals by addressing all aspects of wellness—emotional, intellectual, physical, and social. Her empathy and belief in the power of kindness drive her to uplift others, even in adversity. As Division Vice Chair for a union representing 36,000 employees, Timeeka advocates for her 5,000 department colleagues, offering crucial support to all members. She also serves on the board of Women Uplifting Women Inc., a non-profit which empowers women through healthcare and community initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Timeeka’s dedication to her role at the New York City Transit Authority never wavered, despite long shifts and personal hardships, including losing her newly purchased home to a burst water pipe and a subsequent cancer diagnosis. Through resilience and community support she emerged stronger and more determined to pursue her dreams through nursing, public administration, or psychology, embodying the spirit of perseverance and hope.
“I’m still here! I’m slow in this race, whether it’s to become a Nurse, MPA, or a psychologist. I won because I survived.” – Timeeka Finney
After working for more than ten years at “off the books” retail jobs, Sandra almost lost all hope of becoming a “professional”. But in 2013, she became a DACA recipient. As a result, she was able to pursue new employment opportunities which had been previously unattainable for her as an undocumented immigrant. In 2015, as a means of obtaining additional job security, Sandra decided to further her education. She discovered the Spanish-English Interpretation Certification program and by 2019, she had completed a 45-hour interpretation training certificate program for legal terminology and graduated from community college. Sandra is now enrolled at Hunter College to advance her career further by completing her bachelor’s degree so she may eventually become a full-time interpreter.
“Doing the work that I do is very fulfilling because I get to facilitate the communication between people that work for the overall welfare of the community and those who are in much need of these services.” – Sandra Garcia
Tsehey developed an interest in public health during her adolescence. Growing up in West Ethiopia in a family of farmers, she saw the vital importance of disease prevention, proper hygiene, sanitation, and the use of insecticides. Now as an immigrant to New York City, after completing her AAS degree from Borough of Manhattan Community College, Tsehey aims to ultimately receive her Master of Public Health degree. Tsehey’s eventual career goal is to work for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as a city public health researcher.
“From my previous life experience I have learned a lot about how to overcome challenges by being focused with my goals and being patient.” – Tsehey Gebreyes
As a child, Loida’s mother was an alcoholic who physically abused her. Loida had also been the victim of sexual abuse by an older cousin at the age of 6. At age 13, Loida ran away from home, exposing her to more abusive situations. Loida got pregnant at 16 and was forced into a group home when Children’s Services discovered she was underage with a baby and living with a man who sold drugs. During this time, Loida was able to get her GED. Today, Loida plans to graduate with an associate degree in 2024 and obtain a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2026. Loida’s dream is to be an elementary school teacher, a goal she can accomplish after completing her degrees. As a single mother, Loida hopes to be a positive example for her four children, proving that hard work and determination can result in great things.
“Despite all the hardships of my life, I have been able to survive and succeed.” – Loida Gomez
Daughter of a single mother, Guatemalan Immigrant, Jessica witnessed how hard her mother worked to provide a better future for her. Jessica’s mother has been a major inspiration in her desire to obtain a college degree and pursue a profession where she can be of service to others in need. At thirty-six, Jessica returned to school to pursue a career in speech language pathology with a desire to help persons with disabilities reclaim their voices and to communicate. Jessica also aims to work as a bilingual speech language pathologist within the underserved community of Spanish-speakers, who make up a significant sector of our society. Jessica’s hope is to help women suffering from language disorders to regain their ability to communicate, with a special interest in working with stroke victims and patients who have suffered from brain trauma.
“Receiving an award from the 2021 Education Fund would help me financially to complete my undergraduate degree and apply for graduate school, which is a necessary step to become a licensed speech pathologist.” – Jessica Gonzalez
Annastassiya’s personal journey was born out of a difficult and tumultuous time in her life. After escaping an abusive relationship, she took her three-year-old son and decided to start her life over from scratch. In an attempt to make a better life for her and her son, Annastassiya decided to sttend college. While in school, Annastassiya juggled parenting and work life all while maintaining phenomenal grades. With over 8 years of experience working as a nanny, Annastassiya decided that she wants to devote her life to working with children and those children on the Autism spectrum.
“I do believe I can benefit and even improve the lives of many children.”
In this transformative journey of life, Sable has woven a narrative of resilience and
transformation. She navigated through challenges, losing her mother at a young age to
cancer and breaking free from a tumultuous marriage. She embraced healing through
learning to see things differently, shifting her perception from fear to love. Through the
trials of single motherhood, facing homelessness as a student, Sable anchored herself in
a pathway of peace and happiness. She not only navigated adversity but has also thrived
as a Film and Theatre Student at Columbia University and a Broadcast Associate for CBS.
As a filmmaker, writer, and actress Sable looks to joyously weave diverse stories, echoing
the miraculous potential of choosing a path illuminated by compassion and resilience.
Stories resonate with the shared human experience, reminding us of the power within
us all. Good things come to all things is sure.
“I look forward to shining light on others within our community so they too can be the
creators of their story.” – Sable Harbison
As a child, Loreslee was raised in the Bronx by her single mother. At the age of 22, Loreslee left an abusive relationship, and moved with her two young daughters from Florida to New York to begin a new life. Loreslee was able to obtain her GED and begin college courses. As a single mother, Loreslee wants to teach her two daughters that hard work can help you achieve your dreams. To make positive changes in the world, Loreslee has taken part in activities through her college and her daughters’ school which included helping with afterschool activities for her daughters and beautification projects creating murals to cover up graffiti. These activities are important to Loreslee, who grew up in an environment that was not focused on improving residents’ quality of life. Her hope is to lead by example and show her daughters how they can “do better”. Today, Loreslee’s goal is to have a career as a Registered Nurse.
“I want to break the chains and change the cliché cycle of the typical minority falling under the ‘Statistic’ category.” – Loreslee Hernandez
Yashira was born in New York but grew up in both New York and Puerto Rico. During her time in Puerto Rico, she was able to complete an associate degree. In 2008, she chose to come back to New York and a year later, started working as a Case Manager Tech at Community Healthcare Network. This was an inspiring job and provided Yashira the opportunity to make a difference in the community. In 2011, she decided to pursue a BA in Nursing from Lehman College after receiving support from supervisors. However, in 2012, while experiencing complications from her pregnancy, Yashira had to withdraw from school. Working full-time and taking care of her son further delayed her return to college. Despite her obstacles, Yashira was able to move forward with her career goals with continued support from supervisors, Yashira to returned to school in 2021. During this time, Yashira chose to major in Social Work to incorporate her work experience and allow for a flexible schedule to spend time with her family.
“I also want to demonstrate to myself that if I set my mind on something regardless of how hard it is, with hard work and dedication, I will achieve it.” – Yashira Hernandez
Growing up in Mexico, education had always been essential to Gloria. But, in 1999, Gloria’s high school education was cut short after she was forced into human trafficking that transported her to the United States. After escaping her exploiter, Gloria began attempting to build a life for herself here by taking English classes, obtaining her GED and enrolling in a medical assistant program. After having her son and giving birth to two daughters, she decided to pursue her college degree in 2018. Gloria has always been interested in psychology and sociology and believes that understanding human behavior can help others better sympathize with those who face mental health challenges or need assistance healing from trauma. With a degree from Queensborough Community College, Gloria aspires to further a career with the New York City Department of Health.
“It is crucial to find the reason for the different human behaviors and the root of the problem in society to change it and avoid negative behaviors. My goal is to be able to help vulnerable people to improve their lifestyles.” – Gloria Herrera
Madelyn finds deep fulfillment in emergency medicine; as a paramedic with the FDNY, she is driven by her passion for patient care and her natural leadership in critical situations. As a Hispanic woman and first-generation American she is determined to bring a unique perspective to a traditionally male-dominated field. To enhance her impact, she is pursuing a bachelor’s in emergency management, aiming for a role within FDNY’s Office of Emergency Management, with aspirations to advance to FEMA or Homeland Security. Madelyn’s commitment to disaster response blends her patient care expertise with crisis mitigation strategies. She remains resilient, overcoming an abusive relationship and a work-related injury, to teach her children the value of perseverance and education. Her journey reflects a dedication to growth and making a meaningful impact in her profession and community.
“As a Hispanic woman I feel so driven to these goals where not only I can help Americans but also immigrants that have come from multiple countries.” – Madelyn Higueros
Zin immigrated to the U.S. from Myanmar in 2016. She worked at Barclay Center and Shogun Fine Dining, two opportunities allowing her to build her customer service skills. She also began taking classes at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. During this time, she worked as an assistant teacher in a Pre-K class which exposed her to the importance of community support and leadership management. After Zin obtained an associate degree, she started working for OTG at LaGuardia Airport and began classes at Baruch College. Unfortunately, that job ended during Covid due to layoffs. Taking college courses became difficult
because of these unexpected circumstances, and she was forced to temporarily stop. Zin currently works at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office as a Discovery Specialist (Community Associate). It is her career goal to get her bachelor’s degree and work in the financial/government sector as a Lead Financial Analyst.
“I enjoy leading and serving and interacting with parents/ guardians, students, staff in the community.” – Zin Wynn Htet
Lucero immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico as a teenager. Her struggle to learn English helped create an interest in teaching and fostered her dream to attend college. Lucero became a teen mom but remained motivated to graduate high school. Although Lucero’s hope of going to college was put on hold, she knew it would one day become a reality. Through the ups and downs, she was able to obtain her associate degree while single handedly raising her 2 children. She is currently tackling her next goal- becoming a teacher. Her wish is to inspire the next generation to pursue their interests and never give up.
“I always see myself as a dreamer, pursuing my dreams, and trying to do my best for myself and my kids.” – Lucero Saavedra Huerta
A current attendee of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Jennifer has career goals of achieving her bachelor’s in social work and eventually a Master’s, a field that Jennifer is passionate about. Jennifer wants to help those that are vulnerable and assist them in overcoming their challenges. Jennifer wishes to enhance individual’s well-being and help them meet both their basic and complex needs, focusing on those who need the help the most, such as the homeless, drug dependent, and children/young adults in the foster care system. While interning at Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York, she worked closely with social workers and caseworkers whose job was to advocate for foster children, and find the resources necessary to achieve family unification. At 40 years old, after 17 years of working in banking, Jennifer decided it was time to return to school and pursue the degree needed to workin the field she is most passionate about.
“I am eager to start working with other people that are going through some of the things my family and I have been and are still going through. I can relate and I am very empathetic. Nothing would give me more joy than to know I have a made a difference and an impact in someone else’s life.”
Kenya is a resilient individual with a passion for criminal justice and problem-solving. She has overcome significant challenges, including health issues and homelessness, but it has not deterred her dream of becoming a police detective. After earning her GED at Monroe College, Kenya is now pursuing an associates in criminal justice, with the goal of becoming an investigator. Her dedication to education and professional growth is matched by her commitment to community service, including volunteering at women’s shelters and feeding the homeless. Through her journey, Kenya aspires to be a role model for others who come from similar backgrounds, demonstrating the power of perseverance and encouraging others to pursue their dreams despite the obstacles.
“I have high hopes for myself, I am breaking generational curses.” – Kenya John
With goals to finish her bachelor degree in social work and to pursue her Master’s Degree in Business, Chevonne would like to use her education to help young adults in her community. She hopes to do this by creating a facility that offers resume writing, job interview training, GED program referrals with College ready resources. Chevonne also wants to offer substance abuse and mental health assistance as well as referrals for financial needs and medical expenses. It is her belief that this can bring about positive changes in her community.
“The horrors of substance abuse, domestic violence, and mentally illnesses ranging from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia I witnessed and experienced at the hands of the clients I encountered left a imprint on my heart to live my life in a posture of service to others.”
Windy grew up seeing her single mom work several jobs to support the family, which unfortunately took her mother’s attention away from Windy’s education. In her sophomore year of high school, she dropped out and began working to help her family pay bills and provide food. During her 20s, Windy worked at a doctor’s office which helped expand her career perspective. While at that job, Windy decided to obtain her GED, encouraged by her boss who saw her potential. After getting her GED, she was able to enroll in courses at a community college. As she balanced her studies, work, and helping her oldest daughter with college applications, Windy was forced to temporarily withdraw from school. Through her educational journey, Windy hopes to convey the importance of college and the value of hard work to her daughters. Windy enjoys helping people and working with the next generation of passionate healthcare providers. Having resumed her education, her goal is to continue working in healthcare and help improve others’ quality of life. Windy would also like to be involved with programs that could improve patients’ experiences in the medical field.
“There is not a single day that goes by that I do not think about how grateful I am to be in my current position and helping to mentor the next generation of dedicated healthcare workers.” – Windy Johnson
From a young age, Neosha experienced the pains of growing up in the foster care system and numerous group homes. Living through physical and sexual abuse, Neosha felt compelled to take her experiences and help others in need. Neosha enrolled in school and switched gears from wanting to be an Early Child Educator to working with families and victims in need as a sociology major. Neosha has also teamed up with her brother who was in the child welfare system, to also make a change in the outcomes of those who are often forgotten children in the system. Neosha and her brother plan to organize a program in providing meals, toilettes, clothing, and programs for youth in the foster and group home system. Neosha’s past experiences in helping other young women leave toxic environments brings her tremendous joy, and upon graduation, she plans on getting her program up and running.
“My drive has always been in helping people in need and giving my all in situations that could change someone’s life.” – Neosha Joynes
Growing up, Miriam loved learning and reading. She got good grades and there was the expectation that she would one day attend an Ivy League school. However, her household faced financial insecurities that many immigrant families often face. She moved away from home by the age of 18 and set her sights on furthering her education. Miriam became a first-generation college student, obtaining an associate degree in Paralegal Studies. Miriam next embarked on her bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, her studies were cut short twice over the years due to domestic violence and job cuts during Covid. After giving her life to Christ, she received the strength to leave the toxic relationship she was in and chose to rebuild her life. Seeking refuge in shelters, she found steady employment and enrolled in school again. Today, Miriam’s career plan is to obtain her CPA license and pursue a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management. It is important to Miriam to be a part of something that helps others. During her time in shelters, she advocated on behalf of other women who could not speak up for themselves. Being able to provide that assistance was a rewarding experience for Miriam. Empowering women and children is of vital importance to her, and it would bring her joy to provide women with the tools for financial security.
“I refuse to let my past shame me anymore, and I hope to set others free with my story.” – Miriam Kahssay
Twenty years ago, Stella emigrated from Greece to the United States and started a family. After developing an interest in teaching, she began working with children from pre-K to 5th grade. After her husband passed away, Stella was forced to find a second job to support and raise their children on her own. Despite the financial struggle made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, Stella is intent upon furthering her education to better assist the special needs students she works with in her current role as a paraprofessional with the NYC Department of Education. Eventually, she hopes to earn a master’s degree in Disability Studies.
“With this award I will continue to make education and service to children my top priority.
Additionally, I have the opportunity to acquire my bachelor’s degree in Disability Studies and this will be a lifetime dream that will finally come true.” – Stella Karagiorgaki
Lilian was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and immigrated to the U.S. at age 21. She has always been enthusiastic about the arts sector. While working in Brazil, Lilian was an art teacher at an elementary school that served low-income children. This experience later inspired her to pursue a different career path. After coming to the U.S., Lilian obtained her AS degree from San Diego Mesa College in Fashion Design. Upon graduation in 2001, Lilian moved to New York and worked as a graphic designer in the fashion industry. Although it provided stability, it did not offer the kind of purpose she envisioned. In 2018, Lilian enrolled in Baruch College, intending to work in Public Service. Unfortunately, due to Covid, work and daily life were turned upside down. Lilian lost her job in March 2020 and was forced to stop taking classes for one semester due to family obligations. However, this major social adjustment allowed Lilian to rediscover her passion for painting and focus on her new career path. She now sells her paintings and works as a Family Worker for the Special Education department at the Art and Design High School. This allows her to interact with families who, like herself, have a child with an Individualized Education Program.
“My goal is to keep making a difference in people’s lives and supporting others.” – Lilian Kebudi
Natalie struggled early in school and that experience influenced her to not pursue higher education after completion of her compulsory instruction ended. With no college degree, Natalie relied on her entrepreneurial spirit, starting her own taxi service in Buenos Aries and pursuing a career in Dance. As the years passed, she came to realize she would be better able to support her family if she completed a degree in higher education, but after enrolling and failing out three times, Natalie was convinced she would never succeed. It was not until 2021 when she underwent a neuropsychological evaluation at New York University, that it was discovered she has dyscalculia, a genetic learning disorder. With this diagnosis and tools to address her learning disability, Natalie is now enrolled at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and maintaining a 3.78 GPA. She plans to pursue Spanish legal interpretation and translation to advocate for Spanish-speaking individuals in the United States court and legal system.
“I haven’t given up yet, and I don’t plan on doing so.” – Natalie Laruccia
Kember has been passionate about music and art since childhood. She grew up in a
remote area, but still found ways to seek out and connect with the arts. Shortly after
high school Kember experienced a traumatic event and grappled with moving forward
from the incident. As a way of dealing with the trauma, a female mentor encouraged her
to start being creative again. This advice led Kember to seek out a college education.
Before finishing school, she accepted an opera apprenticeship. Her singing eventually
segued into a job in the design field. Working around design sparked an interest in
returning to school and finishing her degree in fashion design. Kember is excited about
working as a designer and contributing to the field through optimism and sustainable
circular design principles.
“I am more resolute and focused on what I would like to accomplish and more aware
of what I have already achieved.” – Kember Lattimer
Jasmin’s journey is a testament to resilience and growth. Driven by a passion for caregiving, she made the decision to transition her career into the medical field. After earning certifications in Phlebotomy, EKG, and Patient Care, and with encouragement from a resident doctor, Jasmin became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 2016. In the midst of pursuing her degree, she battled breast cancer and faced homelessness but never let these obstacles derail her. At BMCC, Jasmin excelled academically, earning a 4.0 GPA, while participating in food distributions, peer mentoring, and honor societies like Phi Theta Kappa and the National Society for Leadership and Success. Her internship at Redhook Public Housing Complex focused on public health education, highlighting her dedication to addressing healthcare disparities. Jasmin now aspires to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, aiming to promote healthcare equity and education in underserved communities.
“Although emotional, stressful, and riddled with obstacles, my journey has not stopped me; instead, it transformed me into a more self-aware individual with a positive growth mindset and a drive for success…” – Jasmin Lecadre
As a single mother overcoming domestic violence in 2021, Yanfang has experienced her share of pressures, trying to balance work, life, school and motherhood.
After becoming unemployed during the pandemic and getting COVID, Yanfang fell into a depression that almost swayed her to drop out of school completely. Luckily, with the help of the Education Fund, Yanfang can continue her educational studies as an Architectural major without the pressure of worrying about financial aid.
“I aspire to get my bachelor’s degree and become a certified architect. My passion for architectural design assists me in pursuing my career goal.” – Yanfang Liang
Although growing up in what many would consider bleak circumstances, Genevieve held onto the strength that her mother instilled in her. After having her first child, Genevieve overcame many battles and decided to go back to school to achieve a better life for her children in the spring of 2018. Being back in a classroom pushed Genevieve to pursue excellence in a way she hadn’t before, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. Through education, Genevieve has found her greater calling as a member of the global community. Being a nurse is not only her career, but her passion. She feels strongly that the healthcare system is in need of empathetic and knowledgeable nurses. Upon completion of her education, Genevieve desires to be of service to others.
“Since returning to college I have come to see the monumental impact of investing in women and I believe they will return in dividends beyond measure. I believe an investment in my future as a nurse will change mine and my family’s lives, but also improve the lives of the patients I will see and the community I live in.”
Growing up in China, Yuyan had always dreamt of going to college; however, less emphasis was put on the necessity of girls and women getting an education. Later in life, Yuyan realized that getting an education would become a way to leave an abusive husband while creating a sense of independence. On her educational journey, Yuyan learned English to help her older son with his homework and now is able to lead by example for her two sons, demonstrating the importance of studying hard and doing well in school. She is proud to be the first person in her family to attend college. Yuyan’s dream job is to one day be a manager at a restaurant.
“I am fully aware of the value and importance of higher education, and I cherish the opportunity that I can go to college to pursue higher education.” – Yuyan Lin
Anna, a student studying Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics with the goal of becoming a forensic accountant, wishes to take her knowledge and expertise to organizations like Her Justice. Her Justice provides free legal help to women living in poverty in NYC and aided Anna and her children when she had sought safety from her past partner who was both verbally and financially abusive. As head of her household, the Education Fund Award will support Anna as she completes an internship with UN Women.
“Although it has been my goal to work in Fraud examination for many years it is especially exciting to me that this is a valuable service that I can provide to the women seeking help from ‘Her Justice’. I will be able to use my learning to provide something of value to an organization that gave me a fresh start when I was in such desperate need.”
Dedicated to helping and supporting women in the community, Myrdline is highly motivated to help and support them. Her motivation for pursuing a degree in social work derives from her personal experience with some of the challenges that come from parenting, relationships, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Having spent a lot of time parenting a child diagnosed with ADHD, and pursuing her education despite facing obstacles like food and housing insecurity, she saw firsthand the need to merge personal experience with professional practice. Having survived domestic violence herself, Myrdline would like to use her degree in social work to help other women gain social awareness about signs of domestic abuse, and to advocate for differently abled children as a voice for single parents. It is now Myrdline’s third semester as a senior at Adelphi University’s School of Social Work.
“There can be no failure before you decide to give up. If I believe in myself, I will strive to achieve my goals even when life isn’t easy.” – Myrdline Louis
As a child, Elzbieta’s maternal grandmother and mother emphasized the importance of education. Growing up, she had an interest in non-profits. In high school she worked with a foundation specifically focused on helping at-risk children and youth. While attending college in Warsaw, she had an opportunity to visit New York. Rather than returning home, Elzbieta decided to build upon a relationship with a man she met while in the U.S. Unfortunately, he was abusive, forcing Elzbieta to live in a domestic violence shelter with her daughter after escaping that relationship. During that time, she attended a financial education workshop which touched on the importance of having savings, which led to Elzbieta putting money into a savings account and paying bills on time, even if she had to go without luxuries. Elzbieta is currently taking classes at Baruch College to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After obtaining her, her hope is to study Organizational Psychology, which focuses on establishing a work-life balance. Elzbieta would like to share her experiences with others by working in HR for a non-profit and starting her own consulting firm.
“In a man’s world, support from other women is incredibly vital.” – Elzbieta Malyszko
Jeanette, an immigrant from Trinidad, arrived in Connecticut with her family and immediately faced cultural and economic challenges, including her mother’s stage four lymphoma diagnosis. Jeanette took on the roles of both caregiver and sole financial provider. Despite personal health issues and job loss during the Great Recession, she remained committed to her family’s education. Returning to college as a mature student, Jeanette achieved straight A’s and earned a spot on the dean’s list. Her passion for education and community service is evident in her current role as an education intern at Queens Botanical Garden, where she promotes environmental stewardship among urban student groups. Driven by her experiences, Jeanette aspires to become an art professor, using her own journey to inspire and mentor students, break down educational barriers, and encourage perseverance in the face of adversity.
“My past was not easy, but with every hurdle I kept the notion that there is a learning lesson in every event…” – Jeanette Manmohan
Having experienced parents who faced substance abuse and incarceration, Turquoise’s upbringing placed her in the foster care system. At 16, Turquoise was diagnosed with depression and dropped out of high school. For next 12 years, Turquoise remained entrenched in sex work through trafficking and during this time became a mother. Turquoise has had to overcome depression, trafficking, grief, homelessness, and addiction. Motivated to change her circumstances, Turquoise embarked on a journey of self-discovery, education, advocacy, and healing. Determined to create a brighter future for herself, Turquoise put sex work behind her, entered a rehabilitation center, regained custody of her son and set her sights on achieving higher education. Turquoise decided on a CUNY community college and majored in Human Services. Becoming a full-time student afforded Turquoise the ability to be active on campus. Turquoise was elected Treasurer of the Sisterhood Society Club, then Club President the following semester. Turquoise also had the pleasure of being a student instructor for the African-American Studies course: Black Men in Contemporary Society, which opened her eyes to social issues and empowered Turquoise in her leadership abilities. After obtaining her degree in Human Services, Turquoise moved on to Hunter College to pursue a Master’s in Social Work. Turquoise looks forward to utilizing her experiences and wisdom to create healing spaces, in communities and human vessels.
“With the Women’s Forum Education Award, I plan to begin my journey as a small business owner opening a local bookstore and community resource that would provide holistic healing, educational workshops, and resources to my community in the Lower Eastside of Manhattan. This would provide not only a steady income for my family and myself but also a pot of soil to build community.” – Turquoise Martin
Mayra’s life experience as a mother of three and immigrant from the Dominican Republic, who then faced poverty in the U.S., has shaped her academic path. In 2017, her youngest daughter’s autism diagnosis ignited Mayra’s passion for advocating for children with developmental challenges. Now enrolled at Columbia University’s School of General Studies, Mayra maintains a 3.8 GPA despite financial hardships. Her achievements, including Phi Theta Kappa membership and dean’s list honors, reflect her dedication to her studies. She aspires to increase access to programs that empower parents and improve neurodivergent children’s development. Drawing from her own advocacy for her daughter and mentorship at Read Ahead NY, Mayra’s goal is to earn a Ph.D., and work towards ensuring every child can thrive, no matter their individual learning challenges.
“My journey, though unconventional, has equipped me with a unique perspective and a passion for making a difference in the lives of children facing developmental challenges and helping families such as mine find access to resources and programs that can empower them to rise above their challenges and thrive.” – Mayra Martinez
Leslie is a student of Nursing at St. Francis College who first gained her love for midwifery while giving birth to her third child, who was delivered in a birthing center by midwives. Her goal to become a mother and have a career in this field was ignited. In 2010, after surviving an abusive marriage, medical problems and raising six children, Leslie began her journey of recovery and now longs to make a difference in her society. Leslie wishes to work with women, and their families during moments of difficult transitions or change, and assist in the process. Currently, Leslie is also in the process of creating a club for Nontraditional students as they are a large part of today’s college students.
“People tell me I am too old to become a registered nurse, that it will be too difficult for me to find work as a “new” nurse at my age, but I tell them that I have faced many challenges in my life and I have survived – not only survived, but came through with a smile on my face and an inner peace.”
Minyuan came to this country as a new immigrant five years ago, confused about what her future would look like. At 40, Minyuan faced some difficult questions, but had full faith that she would pull herself out of this predicament and began to make plans for her future. Minyuan is now transferring from Kingsborough Community College to Brooklyn College to obtain her first Bachelor’s Degree. Making the decision to continue her education has helped Minyuan find her self-worth. However, this new venture in her life is not without its struggles. Balancing a job, education and family life as a mother of two children, has led to many late nights for Minyuan. Overcoming the challenging obstacle of learning English, today, Minyuan maintains a GPA of 3.955 proving to her children that as long as you have a dream and work hard enough, you can achieve your wish. With the Education Fund, Minyuan will now be able to achieve her educational dreams and balance the expenses of family life with ease.
“Because applying what you have learned is the most practical way to master knowledge and reflect self-worth. After graduation, I want to find a job with a professional accounting area. And at the same time earn the CPA certificate. I believe this certificate will make me more successful in my career. I hope to print the title CPA on my business card in the next 5 years. I know I can.” – Minyuan Meng
During her childhood, Ananda lived in Russia shortly after the collapse of the USSR. Her parents subsequently lost their jobs and sense of security. In 1996, Ananda’s family became Hare Krishna, making them stand apart from the Orthodox Christian Russian society they lived in. Ananda would later come to the realization that she was a lesbian, adding to her sense of otherness. After being diagnosed with PTSD and clinical depression in 2011, the prospect of going back to school seemed impossible. At the age of 35, she decided to go back to school and create some stability in her life. She became interested in studying textiles and making changes to improve fashion production practices. In 2015, she was granted political asylum in the U.S. due to the persecution of her religious beliefs being persecuted in Russia. On December 31, 2022, Ananda received her Associate of Applied Science degree.
“It hurt me deeply to realize how our planet Earth is being exploited and harmed.” – Ananda Metelina
Discouraged by the lack of support within her home, becoming an orphaned young adult and teen mom, Frances set the bar low for herself because she felt there were no examples of successful stories. Refusing to be a statistical victim of circumstance sparked a personal rebellion against self-oppression for Frances. After gaining the experience of working at a corporate resellers firm for 16 years, Frances desired to learn the business savvy communication skills necessary for earning respect within positions of power, which prompted Frances to seek higher education. In the Fall of 2017, Frances was a forty-year-old freshman and a full-time student, employee, and mom. On the Dean’s list four consecutive semesters, Frances was accepted into BMCC’s prestigious “Out in Two” program and in Spring of 2019, she graduated BMCC with honors. Transferring to Baruch College immediately after her BMCC graduation, Frances has maintained uninterrupted excellence in all courses even through changing learning platforms due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Frances’s struggle in finding her way professionally and academically inspires her to help others find theirs. With the help of the Education Fund, will allow Frances to gain the knowledge and skills she needs to direct potential students towards the path of educational enlightenment.
“My career goal is to create safe spaces that offer help with academic and professional enhancement. I want to help creatives construct business plans and goals that lead them to success.”
Betty was born in Trinidad and Tobago and fled to New York as a child, where she faced the challenges of fitting in and navigating societal expectations during the civil rights movement. Growing up in an alcoholic household and enduring abuse after losing her father at 13, she persevered despite the odds. After leaving high school, Betty obtained her GED, became a flight attendant, and engaged in meaningful charity work. The COVID-19 pandemic forced her to close her salon and rely on food stamps, but witnessing her son’s resilience despite his own challenges, inspired her to pursue a new career in dental hygiene. Now, at 61, Betty is set to graduate in 2025, determined to give back by teaching and providing free dental care in underserved communities. Her journey illustrates how it is never too late to achieve your dreams.
“My story is not just about personal triumph but also about the kindness of others.” – Betty Mounteney
Michelle, born to a teenage mother in Zimbabwe, faced immense challenges from childhood. Abandoned by her father at birth and surrounded by a community ravaged by AIDS, she witnessed and endured severe neglect and abuse. These early experiences ignited her determination to help others. Leaving Zimbabwe amid political and economic turmoil, Michelle pursued higher education in the U.S., working as a nanny in New York City to support her family. She graduated from Borough of Manhattan Community College and now maintains a 4.0 GPA at City College of New York. Passionate about mental health, Michelle aspires to become a therapist, focusing on supporting children in underserved communities. Her journey is a powerful testament to the strength that can come from a commitment to personal growth.
“I am determined to address the critical gap in our society – the need for dedicated, compassionate individuals who can guide children through their most vulnerable years.” – Michelle Mutanhu
Erin’s journey in life to get to where she is today – a student at Columbia University – was not easy. From birth, Erin was diagnosed with a congenital physical disorder called radial club hand which presented both emotional and physical challenges for her. In her youth, Erin questioned who she was in the world and how to contribute to her community in a meaningful way. Reading and education became her lifeline. After earning her history degree, Erin plans to attend law school to give back to her community by advocating for access to reproductive healthcare, voting rights restoration for convicted felons and the abolishment of the death penalty. Erin will be the first person in her family to graduate with a degree.
“I ask myself what do I bring to this world? What can I contribute? I have drive and a passion for learning. I have been afforded the opportunities and the trials of being physically different. I have been kept from school, assaulted for being different, and suffered tremendous loss, but it hasn’t broken me.” – Erin O’Bannon
Keila has wanted to make an impact in the lives of families, especially those with children, since her son was diagnosed with Autism fifteen years ago. Because of the struggles she faced as a young mother (being 26 at the time of her son’s diagnosis and already having a five year old daughter) Keila saw the gaps in the support for women and families who were trying to help their children with this pervasive disorder. Keila knew then that she would need to obtain her degree in order to be able to provide for her son’s financial security in the future. Dealing with the pressures of managing child care, a part-time job, and going through a turbulent divorce resulting in Keila obtaining an order of protection, Keila never lost hope. In 2018, Keila was a divorced mother of two and working for a non profit organization specializing in domestic violence. Keila took a chance and enrolled in Borough of Manhattan Community College, earning a 3.8 GPA there and was subsequently accepted to Columbia University. Keila now has a 4.0 GPA at Columbia and with the aid of the Education Fund is working diligently on completing her degree in the hopes of being able to properly provide for her children.
“I would like to be a part of an organization that caters to the needs of those with disabilities and whose focus is not just the children themselves but by supporting parents in obtaining higher education or vocational skills to better provide for their families, as this is the key to ensuring these children find themselves financially cared for as adults.” – Keila Palencia
With her artistic background, Denise aims to incorporate art as a tool to communicate and educate in her cultural studies both in the U.S. and abroad. Denise has successfully led after-school art programs at the Jackie Robinson Foundation, created an 8-week art program through the Rikers Island Department of Corrections for incarcerated youth ages 16-21, and spent time with the NYC Park and Recreation program at the Hegemon Center in East New York creating artwork with the young women, ages 16-21, as a way to communicate and encourage confidence building. These efforts have continued Denise’s drive to use art as a way to engage and heal in her community and beyond.
“I found my area of concentration in the religion and art history department, leading me to meaningful direction and goals within these programs. I believe I am a woman who, with the aid and guidance of a college degree, will make a difference in the humanities and education sectors in the world.”
Growing up in a dysfunctional family dynamic, Valerie’s passion to embark upon higher education was stifled and stripped from her. After being diagnosed with a life-threatening spinal cord tumor, Valerie had no option but to face major high-risk surgery. Thankfully, Valerie’s surgery was a success, but the recovery was long and brutal. After spending one month in inpatient rehab and two years working through neurological deficits, relearning how to walk, use her hands, and retraining her brain to adapt to her new normal, education remained her passion. While recovering, Valerie knew she could not immediately return to work, and looked into going back to school. In 2020, Valerie enrolled back into school, but after living one week of the freshman college experience, the campus shut down due to the COVID pandemic. Dealing with the financial strains of the COVID pandemic and trying to recover from the expensive and lengthy spinal cord surgery in 2017, the past ten months have been enormously challenging. With the help of the Education Fund, Valerie intends to focus solely on her studies and her first year at a senior college. The Fund would also allow Valerie to set up a proper study space in her apartment and start to build a new home again after a fire that took away all of her belongings.
“My career plans focus on developing investigative multimedia social documentary storytelling, using various media to generate social impact. I use the written word, still, and moving images to tell meaningful stories. Besides exploring the human condition, I am interested in women and human rights, stories of trauma, fighting corruption and abuse of power, social justice, culture, and the arts.” – Valerie Pires
From a young age Francesca had an interest in learning. Her mother’s words “you are never too old to learn” have stayed with her throughout life’s ups and downs. One such circumstance was becoming a teen mother giving birth and graduating high school in the same year, while working part time at a fast food restaurant. Francesca decided to become independent and began her journey going into the NY shelter system with her child to get assistance with obtaining housing. Shortly after Francesca obtained her first apartment in the Bronx she enrolled in classes at Hostos Community College. For years following, Francesca experienced various forms of dysfunctional relationship maltreatment. That environment negatively impacted her confidence and caused her to fail classes. When she enrolled in courses again, Francesca had reclaimed her life. She received an Associate of Arts degree after retaking and passing the classes she had previously failed. Francesca’s goal is to work with children as a youth counselor, as she believes that providing the needed care and understanding to children can help lead to a more positive future.
“My motivation is my steadfast belief that children/youth are and will always be the future.” – Francesca Poole
After 25 years of facing extreme and challenging conditions such as homelessness and drug addiction, Diane has demonstrated that strength by turning her life around and returning to school at the College of Staten Island. At sixty-one, Diane has found her purpose in life through education and wishes to complete her bachelor’s degree to become of service to those who are among the invisible of our society- the homeless.
“My goal is to help women overcome their situations and find the confidence to work toward building skills to obtain employment so that they can become productive members of society. I wish to pull them out of their terrible living conditions and help them to see that there is hope. To do this, I plan to work with nonprofit organizations that provide resources, job training and addiction treatment for homeless women.”
While growing up in Serbia, Biljana witnessed two wars and experienced its after effects. Many people suffered from mental illnesses due to post-traumatic stress disorder and these experiences encouraged her to study Industrial Organizational Psychology. After graduating from Kosova in Serbia, Biljana saw an opportunity to work and study in America. Biljana came to New York City in 2011 and in 2015 was accepted at LaGuardia Community College as a Business Administration major. During her studies, Biljana was diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer and underwent two life-saving surgeries followed by conventional chemotherapy, all-the-while remaining dedicated to her educational studies – often times bringing her textbooks with her during her chemotherapy sessions. Now that Biljana has recovered, she’s been able to enroll at Baruch College where she was accepted at the Zicklin School of Business studying her combined interests: Industrial and Organizational Psychology. With the help of the Education Fund, Biljana can continue on her mission to help adults manage stress better and lead healthier lives.
“After I finish my studies, I plan to work full-time in psychology to focus on mental health issues, primarily post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. One of my long-term goals is to work for United Nations to help others with the necessary aid to resolve conflict worldwide to maintain international peace and security.” – Biljana Radojicic
Brittany is a first-generation college student, and aspires to graduate from Baruch College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management & Sustainability. Brittany’s motivation stems from a desire to contribute to protecting the planet for future generations. Despite facing challenges, including early responsibilities due to being raised by a single mom, and a pause in her educational journey, Brittany persevered. After moving to New York City at 25, she fell into a deep depression. Working through her depression, Brittany now openly shares her story to inspire and help others. Engaging in classes brings her joy, reinforcing the belief that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.
“I am a constant in my journey, instead of letting my life pass me by because I didn’t feel deserving.” – Brittany Ramos
Gloria’s journey to becoming the first college graduate in her family was marked by difficulties. As the head of her household, Gloria worked full-time and was responsible for her mother’s care, forcing her to put her education on hold. In 2012, she faced the devastating loss of her daughter, which left her deeply grieving. Through therapy, Gloria was able to reenter the workforce in 2013 as a Program Assistant, discovering a passion for education. She became a Paraprofessional, dedicating nine years to helping high school students succeed. In memory of her daughter, Gloria founded Baby Liv’s Annual Toy Drive, which donates toys to children’s hospitals. Now pursuing a degree in Social Work, she aspires to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, continuing to “pay it forward” and positively impacting her community.
“I know that although I may not have succeeded in the past, this is my time to shine.” – Gloria Ramos
Michelle began her college journey at Fordham University in 2002. Shortly after she began her studies there, she faced financial instability, family issues, and addiction, forcing her to drop out. Michelle supported herself by working multiple jobs, but an abusive relationship at age 19 further derailed her pursuit of her degree. Despite these setbacks, Michelle found stability working in the construction industry, where she rose to the position of Director of Operations at a contracting company. During this time she reenrolled in college classes and after earning her associates degree, is now working toward a bachelor’s in construction engineering technology. Through all her trials, including the loss of both parents, Michelle’s determination to succeed has never wavered. She aims to inspire other underrepresented groups in the construction industry by becoming a licensed professional engineer and an adjunct professor.
“Strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them into engineers.” – Michelle Riddick
At 16 years old, Denisse became an emancipated minor and upon graduating from high school, enlisted in the United States Coast Guard to escape the toxic environment in which she grew up. Denisse remained in the Coast Guard for 6 years and, upon returning to New York, became an EMT and later a certified medical assistant. Despite her work, Denisse began to feel that something was missing from her life and enrolled at Bronx Community College. Shortly after, she entered a toxic relationship that hindered the pursuit of her college degree. But after recognizing how the relationship mirrored that of her childhood, she knew she had to get out. Motivated by her 4-year-old son, Denisse has the goal of creating a career for herself in Information Technology. Denisse has now graduated from Queensborough Community College and is currently en route to finish her bachelors degree from CUNY School of Professional Studies in Information Systems by June of 2023.
“I am sure that in my life there will be many more obstacles and challenges that will arise, but I am confident that I will tackle any of them head on.” – Denisse Rivera
Darresa’s career goal developed after witnessing the difficulties her daughter faced when they were forced to transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Darresa was compelled to advocate for her daughter when she began to experience emotional distress, eventually conducting research on educational policy and federal law to address the unsettling issues she encountered with school administrators. Deeply concerned about New York City’s educational disparities, Darresa became determined to become a lawyer and continue her advocacy for students facing challenges dealing with administrative red tape. Ultimately, she wants to serve special needs’ students and their families from underserved communities in need of legal representation facing the Department of Education.
“I believe that the law should be used as both a sword and a shield to protect and serve the people, which I aspire to do. I want to make substantial political changes to address the neglectful educational system and help families trust the system again.” – Darresa Rodriguez
Evette’s life is marked by struggle. After battling meningitis as a baby and enduring third-degree burns at the age of two, she faced emotional and physical abuse, homelessness, and sexual assault during her teenage years. But after the birth of her son, Evette had a new reason to improve herself and the circumstances of her life and chose to return to college at the age of 48. Through her experience working in, and as a parent of a child in the New York City Public School system, Evette has advocated for children, especially those with special needs. Her own experiences of neglect and misunderstanding drive her passion to ensure that all children receive the education and support they deserve.
“All children deserve a great education and I hope I could someday be part of the solution to allow this to happen.” – Evette Rodriguez
As the middle child of five, Nicole faced immense pressure to succeed where her siblings had not. Despite early struggles, including expulsion from two schools, she was able to graduate near the top of her high school class. After briefly attending college, Nicole left to support her family. Years later, inspired by her daughter, Nicole returned to school at 30, balancing motherhood, work, and full-time studies. She graduated as salutatorian with a 4.0 GPA, and her immediate goal is to advance within her current organization, becoming an adjunct professor in Human Services. She believes earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees will enable her to achieve these goals and create meaningful change. Nicole continues to inspire her daughter, who is also pursuing higher education in a demanding field.
“My entire educational career has been one of facing obstacles and challenges, getting knocked down, but always standing up even taller by achieving academic excellence.” – Nicole Rodriguez
Growing up in a family of humble means, Katie’s Mexican-born father and mother worked multiple jobs and her family lived hand to mouth. Katie spent the last 22 years in and out of college. After the death of her father in 1998, Katie started her first year of college; twenty years later, after supporting her mother who fell ill to Lyme disease and tragically passed away, Helen attempted to achieve her goal of completing her education.
Determined to build a career that could help my family escape poverty, Katie moved to New York City in 2010 for a fresh start. Upon enrolling in an Algebra class after her mother’s death, Katie found solace in math that she could never have believed possible. Katie is now a straight-A Honors student, enrolled full time and in the Peer Leaders Program. Katie is still working to put herself through college, and volunteering with her local Mutual Aid Society. Since returning to college, Katie has mastered the mathematics behind computing that once eluded her, and with the aid of our Education Fund vows to one day be able to complete her dream of earning a college degree, pursuing a career in Mathematics.
“My future lies in exposing those inequalities and evaluating them ethically and passionately, through facts and figures.” – Katie Salas
As a pre-teen growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, Hope witnessed the devastation that crack, heroin, and HIV/AIDS left on the communities she lived in. At 16 years of age, a bad decision caused Hope to be incarcerated for 18 years. During that time her curiosity on the ways to improve the communities she came from never waned. When Hope was released, she worked as a peer-educator/outreach specialist at Harlem United. Fueling her drive to help those like herself, Hope wishes to continue her education at CUNY Lehman majoring in Social Work and minoring in Law and Government. Hope’s career goal is to become a Social Worker who is helping reform the criminal justice system and mental health policies, focusing on preparing those who are to be released, reintegrate into society.
“My motivation comes from the women I encountered with mental health illnesses, who were incarcerated instead of hospitalized.”
For Sandra, her son has been her constant motivation to better herself and her family. A college education means prosperity for Sandra. With long-term goals to obtain a master’s degree in public administration and acquire a leadership role with the Center for Excellence in Youth Education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), Sandra is committed to taking an active role in helping students who may lack the resources and mentorship that others have had to aid in their success.
“Education means a great deal to me because it has transformed my life. I have developed the skills and qualifications needed to build a better life for myself and be a provider to my son.”
In her youth, Verdell was left feeling isolated and without a community after her family members were incarcerated, but after experiencing domestic violence firsthand, she was also sentenced to prison. Those experiences sparked an interest in the challenges that many face of reentering society after being incarcerated. Some of her incarcerated family members had been wrongfully convicted and others needed mental health treatment. For Verdell, these situations highlighted the deficit in the current treatment
of those in the prison population. Verdell now works at Rikers Island providing essential services including mental health treatment, continuing education, and finding housing for individuals reentering society. Obtaining a degree in Forensic Psychology/Mental Health Counseling will build on her knowledge of assisting individuals experiencing behavioral struggles and the additional challenges they face after being incarcerated. Her goal is to receive a master’s degree through the Mental Health Counseling Program at John Jay.
“It is because of my children that I push every day to go to school to finish my education.” – Verdell Sims
Growing up in Queens Village, Helen, was a part of a family that uplifted knowledge and education. Helen’s mother, a schoolteacher, encouraged Helen and her siblings to enroll in higher education. Upon entering college, Helen fell victim to many of the pressures young adults face on campus – being introduced to drugs, Helen rarely attended classes, falling deeper into drug abuse. Helen lost jobs – sold drugs to support her habit, and caught her first crime at 18. A life of recidivism, homeless shelters, drug programs, and losing her children to the foster system ensued – until her early 40’s. At 41, Helen found recovery and began to repair her life.
In 2019, Helen realized that to be heard, validated, and affect change – she needed higher education. Helen completed the John Jay College Navigator Certification and afterwards, entered St. Francis College through the Post-Prison program, and she hasn’t looked back! Helen has maintained being on the Dean’s List every semester, her GPA remaining between 3.875 to 4.0. Helen is the first Post-Prison student to be invited to the Honors class. Helen is also a Justice-in-Education Scholar at Columbia University, attending both schools and is on track for her doctorate in Criminology concentrating on convict criminology. With the aid of our Education Fund, Helen intends to sub-specialize in the traumatization of Women and girls and pursue her goals in prison reform, examining punitive vs. rehabilitative correctional systems and, hopefully, to research international systems such as the Norwegian and Swedish, where such rehabilitative methodologies have been implemented.
“My career goal is to affect change, to inform and reform criminal justice policies and practices. I will not stop my educational journey until I have ascended to that elevation.” – Helen Skipper
Inspired by her own experiences with addiction in her family, Rashida started on the path to becoming a substance abuse counselor. Her years as a peer specialist have deepened her understanding of addiction as a medical issue closely linked to trauma and mental health. She hopes to make a positive impact in her South Bronx community through this work. As a single mother of three, including two sons with autism, Rashida advocates tirelessly for her children while addressing her own challenges including the lasting impact of a difficult childhood and diagnosis of dyslexia. Despite the significant responsibilities of her personal life, she is dedicated to community service.
“I am a firm believer that it is the little things that matter.” – Rashida Dunne
Despite growing up in an environment shaped by generational trauma, Sandra graduated high school with honors but found herself in an abusive marriage shortly after. Eight years in, she started a business of creating bespoke bags. Empowered by her success and supported by her friends and loved ones, Sandra filed for an order of protection and left the relationship with her three young children in tow. Five years later, recognizing the power of education in shaping a new future, she began attending Queensborough Community College while building her socially conscious business. Through this venture, Sandra shares her story while achieving her mission to “empower survivors one bag at a time”.
“Every new – yet, woefully familiar – story of a woman’s life turned upside down as a result of domestic violence is a reminder to me that there is [still] important work to be done.” – Sandra Smith
Sharmaine was never encouraged to pursue education, growing up in a home riddled with substance abuse and taunting from those who should have protected her. After her first attempt to achieve higher education in 1996, Sharmaine became addicted to drugs and dropped out, leading to a series of hardships. But in 2012, Sharmaine became empowered to change her life, rehabilitating herself and setting her focus again on pursuing education. Sharmaine is currently working towards a degree in forensic psychology with a minor in community justice, to assist people convicted of substance abuse related offenses to seek not just criminal reform, but also rehabilitation services.
“I want to make a difference in people’s lives by being a powerful example and being part of a team that looks to help the person not just seek imprisonment for a crime.” – Sharmaine Smith
Patriece grew up the oldest of 4 children and the first in her family to pursue higher education, her mother doing her best to financially support Patriece’s dreams of graduating college, but, as a single parent among the working class, there wasn’t enough income to continuously pay tuition and take care of her siblings. In 2004 Patriece headed off to college filled with excitement and high expectations. Unfortunately, the financial burden of tuition forced Patriece to end her college career in 2006, facing a large amount of college debt. Although this came as a huge disappointment to Patriece, she knew she would never give up on her dream of becoming a successful college graduate. After working past her college debt from Fordham University, Patriece was able to enroll in City College of New York. In 2010 Patriece began working in early childhood education, primarily serving African American and Latin students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. As an educator, Patriece witnessed the inequalities these children face, the institutional racism that exists within our educational system and the biases educators and administrators have towards these children. These injustices have influenced Patriece’s career goals and motivated her to end the miseducation of children of color. Becoming an educator and providing students with access to a quality education, are at the core of Patriece’s goals. With the help of the Education Fund, Patriece will continue to grow and expand her skills as an educator by pursuing her masters degree in educational leadership, without facing the financial burdens that arise in higher education.
“Taking on a leadership position within the educational system will allow me to be a part of creating a more equal and equitable educational system for whom the system was not designed, namely black and brown students.” – Patriece Spann
Raised in impoverished conditions by a single Puerto Rican mother of eight children, Davina encountered many traumas throughout her childhood and adolescence. As a result of these traumas and the conflicts they caused, she became homeless at the age of 17. Without mental health resources or support, she had no choice but to drop out of school and subsequently turned to substance use to cope with her pain. After working hard to stabilize her life, Davina was motivated to enroll at BMCC in August 2020 amid the global pandemic. She realized that she wanted to use her lived experience to make a positive impact in the world. Motivated by broken governmental systems that have failed her and the countless generations of families from impoverished and marginalized communities, Davina’s goal is to research intergenerational trauma and discover alternative, community-based therapies to aid in repairing these traumas. In June 2022, Davina received an AA in Psychology from BMCC, graduating with the award for Academic Excellence in Psychology among other honors. She has since transferred to NYU Gallatin as a GUIDE Scholar where she continues to work on her academic and social justice career goals.
“My goal is to live for the friends who lost their lives to substance use and to find ways to help, support, heal, and save as many lives suffering from trauma from a similar fate.” – Davina Stewart
Originally from Burkina Faso, West Africa, Bouampoundi has always done her best to care for herself and thrive academically. Despite her concerns about her English accent due to her French heritage, she was able to obtain assistance from friends who assisted her with the registration process at Hostos Community College to pursue an associate’s degree in business management. She has proudly joined the Student Leadership Academy, served as Vice President of Student Affairs, and been elected as a delegate to the CUNY University Student Senate while attending Hostos. In addition, she made history for her nation by being selected to participate in a 14-month peacekeeping operation of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in 2010. This peacekeeping mission allowed her to learn about the struggles of women and children living in a military-conflict nation. Currently, Bouampoundi is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a minor in community change at City College of New York.
“As a non-traditional student, my career goal is to graduate and pursue a fulfilling career in an international development field that empowers women worldwide.” – Bouampoundi Brigitte Thiombiano
Sena’s family valued education, but she faced significant challenges after moving to the U.S. in 2013. Balancing motherhood with her desire to return to school, she encountered multiple setbacks, including a near-death experience during childbirth and housing instability that forced their family to move repeatedly. Despite these hardships, Sena persevered. In 2019 while working at the French American Charter School, she was promoted to assistant teacher. The COVID-19 pandemic provided her an opportunity to return to school, and she graduated with her AAS in June 2023 with a 3.9 GPA. Sena is now pursuing her bachelor’s to become a professional teacher, dedicated to fostering critical thinking, ethical values, and leadership in her students. Her unwavering commitment to education and her children’s success continues to drive her forward.
“I always get up with one statement: success runs with challenges.” – Sena Tossou
Ivon, an Indonesian woman, grew up in an environment that undervalued education for women. Despite this, Ivon completed high school and began attending university until political unrest interrupted her studies. After a difficult divorce in her late twenties, Ivon lost custody of her children due to financial constraints. In 2015, she moved to the United States, where she found work in a restaurant. Determined to improve her life, she learned English, earned her GED, and enrolled at BMCC. There, she discovered a passion for accounting and joined the Accounting Club, which fueled her ambition to become a CPA. Ivon is committed to achieving independence through a career in accounting. Her goal is to help others, especially women with similar struggles, while contributing to the country that gave her a second chance at life.
“Life is not easy, but life will definitely become more difficult if we are never willing to try to improve ourselves, study and work hard.” – Ivon Vehanica
Michelle is a first-generation Dominican American from the Bronx. Her mother’s sacrifices instilled in her the value of hard work. Despite facing an abusive relationship and family tragedies, Michelle remained steadfast. After struggling academically and taking a decade-long break from school, she returned with renewed focus. Now at Lehman College, she has created her own major “Understanding Latino Culture and Health” to tackle health disparities in her community. Michelle’s ultimate goal is to build a career in community health, helping others lead healthier lives and connecting them to essential social services. Michelle is driven by a commitment to self-improvement and providing stable support for her two children.
“I want to set an example for myself and my children that it doesn’t matter how long it takes to achieve your dreams; you should never give up.” – Michelle Velez
For as long as Carmel could remember, she has always wanted to work with children, especially under-privileged children and those with special needs. Growing up as a member of a minority group and in an area with few community resources, Carmel experienced and witnessed discrimination first-hand. This experience has served as motivation for Carmel to go back to school and pursue a career as a psychologist. Having survived a toxic and abusive relationship, Carmel is driven to be a role model to her son and daughter. She hopes to continue her studies and one day attend Columbia University to work toward a Doctorate in Psychology.
“My motivation for seeking this award of $10,000 from The Women’s Forum is to gain some financial security which will make pursuing my education a lot less stressful and will allow me to concentrate on my studies without the constant worry of how my bills are going to get paid.”
Throughout her whole life, Doaa has always dreamt of making a difference in the world through a large medical platform. Doaa’s dream of making a large impact through medical means started for her when she was a toddler seeing her father go through pain because of his medical conditions. Doaa made it a mission to become a doctor, so she can help people like her father return to good health. Before the death of her father, Doaa experienced a life-changing event that caused her to change her aspirations and goals. After becoming very ill and having a positive experience with a caring and attentive nurse, Doaa became highly interested in the nursing profession. After completing her high school degree, Doaa got married to her husband and after a few years she moved with him to America with their 2 children. Although she was focused on raising her children, Doaa’s dream of becoming a nurse remained her passion. Once Doaa’s oldest child became 12, she decided that it was time to finally accomplish her dream, leading her to Kingsborough Community College. Once Doaa completes her associate’s degree in nursing she will become a Registered Nurse. With the help of the Education Fund, Doaa intends on continuing her education, becoming a Registered Nurse and obtaining a master’s degree.
“I want to become an excellent and caring nurse and be the leader of all of the nurses in my hospital. After I reach my ultimate goal of being a Nurse practitioner, I will use my platform to share all of my experiences and morals to my peers, so I can try to make as many responsible and caring nurses as possible.” – Doaa Yahia
After years of witnessing abuse in her childhood household, resulting in poor academic performance, Shauna escaped her situation by migrating to the United States where she was able to earn her GED. Despite this, she soon found herself in another abusive relationship and after escaping it, she and her children were left homeless. She was able to secure a job as a security officer working part-time which allowed her to enroll in college to pursue her true passion – helping those in need. Shauna is now a registered nurse at Bellevue Hospital on the Medical Surgical Unit and currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree. Even while working to support her children and attending school, Shauna volunteers for New York Cares where she delivers meals to homebound seniors. Her ultimate goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner and help children who are abused or struggling with learning disabilities.
“My goal and passion is to become the first to graduate from college in my family and create a rewarding career in nursing, as I continue this journey motivated by my children to never ever give up.” – Shauna Yetman
Raised in a traditional Chinese family with a preference for sons, Chufen was told she couldn’t attend college as the family’s resources were going to be used for the education of her brother. Despite this, she pursued her own education relentlessly by moving to New York, overcoming the language barrier as an adult, and preparing for and passing the HSE/GED exam. She continued her studies at BMCC where she excelled academically, achieving a 4.0 GPA, becoming president of the Math Club, and receiving the Student Leadership award. Now majoring in Mathematics and Sciences for [teaching] Secondary Education, Chufen wants to empower students by creating an engaging learning environment. Her leadership experiences have deepened her commitment to equality and teamwork. Upon completion of her current degree program, Chufen plans to pursue a master’s degree and contribute to the community.
“I want to use what I’ve learned to help change people’s lives, I want to pay back to society in the future.” – Chufen Zhang
