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Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York 2020/2021

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York 2020/2021

By New Women New Yorkers

The storytelling project Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021 (International Women’s Day). They talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City, marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests, and the presidential election.
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Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Zoraya, an advocate for domestic violence survivors from Ecuador

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York 2020/2021Jan 29, 2021

00:00
20:31
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Anastassiya, an educator from Kazakhstan

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Anastassiya, an educator from Kazakhstan

In the twelfth episode, meet Anastassiya, an educator from Kazakhstan helping immigrants to realize their potential through higher education.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Mar 05, 202126:34
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Dorothy, a teacher from Nigeria

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Dorothy, a teacher from Nigeria

In the eleventh episode, meet Dorothy, a teacher from Nigeria. Her life was hit hard by Covid-19. While she is finding her way out of the pandemic, Dorothy sends a message of hope to all New Yorkers.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Feb 26, 202129:25
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Bahar, a painter from Iran

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Bahar, a painter from Iran

In the first episode, meet Bahar Sabzevari, a painter from Iran whose work explores identity, sense of place and belonging.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election. 

Feb 25, 202123:19
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Marlene, an accountant from Chile

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Marlene, an accountant from Chile

In the tenth episode, meet Marlene, an accountant from Chile. New York was supposed to be a quick stop on her way to Ireland. She ended up staying, driven by personal reasons and the military dictatorship in Chile. Life hasn’t been easy though. In this interview, Marlene reflects on the challenges she has faced as an immigrant and after she converted to Islam.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Feb 19, 202117:06
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Rosa, a babysitter from Dominican Republic

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Rosa, a babysitter from Dominican Republic

In the ninth episode, meet Rosa, a babysitter from Dominican Republic. A single mother and former teacher, Rosa came to the US with her two sons in 2016. Adjusting to life in the country, she has found a sense of community and fulfillment among other immigrants. Work leaves little room for Rosa to pursue her dream of learning English. Still, she jumps at any learning opportunity. Rosa also makes sure to support other immigrant women along the way (this is Spanish-English episode).

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.





Feb 12, 202119:32
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Leyla, a journalist from Egypt

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Leyla, a journalist from Egypt

In the eighth episode, meet Leyla, a journalist from Egypt. After reporting on historic events including the Arab Spring and the trial of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Leyla landed in the US in 2017. Following a stint in Miami, where her husband completed a medical residency, the couple came to New York to look for more opportunities. Used to tell other people’s stories, Leyla joins the Real People. Real Lives project as the subject of a story for once. One step at a time, she is eager to change narratives, telling stories that inspire and move away from stereotypes.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Feb 05, 202121:26
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Zoraya, an advocate for domestic violence survivors from Ecuador

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Zoraya, an advocate for domestic violence survivors from Ecuador

In the seventh episode, meet Zoraya, an advocate for domestic violence survivors from Ecuador. She left medical school back home to pursue the American Dream. Her path to independence has not been an easy one, though. To make ends meet, she worked in factories, sold food and was a shoe shiner, while preparing herself for a better future. She also endured a violent marriage. In 2014, Zoraya was physically attacked by her former sister-in-law and had to be hospitalized. Yet she found the inner strength to keep going. After a journey of healing, she has become a role model for all women who experience domestic abuse.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Jan 29, 202120:31
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Nataliya, a nurse from Ukraine

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Nataliya, a nurse from Ukraine

In the sixth episode, meet Nataliya, a nurse from Ukraine. A former journalist, she was satisfied with her career in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. Then, the Orange Revolution hit, leading the country to the brink of civil war. Nataliya applied for political asylum in the US hoping to practice her craft in a free country. Journalism was not steady though. She needed a stable job, one immune to crises. Nursing was her choice, a profession that allowed Nataliya to support her family in difficult times and to give back to the city during the darkest days of the pandemic.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Jan 22, 202121:37
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Ariana, a stay-at-home mom from Mexico

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Ariana, a stay-at-home mom from Mexico

In the fifth episode, meet Ariana, a stay-at-home mom from Mexico. Brought to the US by her mother as a baby, she was raised in Brooklyn. A die-hard New Yorker, Ariana lives trapped between two different cultures. She attributes to the city her boundless strength and resilience. Yet, she dreams of Mexico and what life would be like had her mother stayed there.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Jan 15, 202129:03
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Shorai, a grassroots organizer from Zimbabwe

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Shorai, a grassroots organizer from Zimbabwe

In the fourth episode, meet Shorai, a grassroots organizer from Zimbabwe. She came to the US in 2016 fleeing domestic violence. With a pending asylum case, she struggles with the decision to leave her children behind. Yet she hangs onto the hope that one day she will fulfill her dream of reuniting with her children and pursuing a higher education degree.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Jan 08, 202119:04
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Broghanne, an actress and entrepreneur from Scotland

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Broghanne, an actress and entrepreneur from Scotland

In the third episode, meet Broghanne Jessamine, an actress and entrepreneur from Scotland. Tired of acting roles that don't do justice to women's diverse experiences and transformed by a traumatic experience, she created her own film company, Elemental Women Productions. Broghanne's goal is to empower women’s voices and focus on stories that are rarely told in the mainstream movie industry.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Jan 01, 202116:43
Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Potri, a nurse from the Philippines

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York: Potri, a nurse from the Philippines

In the second episode, meet Potri, a nurse from the Philippines. A member of the Maranao people, a predominantly Muslim indigenous group, she went to nursing school hoping to improve the health and well-being of her people. In the 1990s though, she joined the ranks of Filipino nurses working in the US. After her shift as a nurse, Potri finds time to advocate for the indigenous traditions she left back home through her group, Kinding Sindaw.

Real People. Real Lives. Women Immigrants of New York is a storytelling project from New Women New Yorkers that elevates immigrant stories, moving beyond statistics and political rhetoric. The third, 2020 edition of the project highlights a diverse group of immigrant women living in New York City – frontline workers, journalists, stay-at-home moms, artists and entrepreneurs, among others – on a series of podcasts to be released weekly from December 18, 2020 through March 8, 2021. Participants talked about their immigrant experience and reflected on ideas of home and belonging within the backdrop of a year like no other in New York City - marked by the pandemic, racial justice protests and a presidential election.

Dec 25, 202015:42