Women’s History Month
Happy Women’s History Month! To celebrate the power of women, we’re taking a closer look at our very own female alumnae!
Our alumnae work as teachers working to equalize the field of education, social justice advocates, college counselors, inspired by their own Directors of College Counseling (DCCs), and much more. Keep reading to learn about the impact they are making in their own communities, and in the world.
College Counseling
Many of our alumnae now have jobs in college counseling and college access, inspired by their DCCs!
Alumni and College Success Manager at Row New York
Isra Kahled (Astoria ’13) felt comfortable talking to her DCC as a high school student. She is now the Alumni and College Success Manager at Row New York, expanding the Alumni and College program with inspiration from her time as a CBI student.
“Being a student of a non-profit allows me to relate to my students in a different way than other staff. I am currently working on expanding Row New York’s college and alumni program with inspiration from my time at CBI.”
Senior Manager of College Access at SL Network
Alendi Vidal (TYWLS East Harlem ’06) appreciates the opportunity that TYWLS provides for young women to empower themselves. Her professional life came full circle as an adult when she became a DCC at SL Network in 2018. Today, she works as the Senior Manager of College Access, ensuring that all students have access to post-secondary opportunities.
“My professional life came full circle. I was able to provide students with the guidance and support that I received while in high school from my DCC. He was the first person who ever talked to me about college and made me realize that I had the potential to go beyond what I thought I could. Similar to how my DCC supported me and made me believe in myself, I shared the same wisdom with my students.”
Associate Director of College Access at SL Network
Stephanie Narine (CBI ’07) is grateful for her DCC, Rob Robinson, when it came to guiding her through the college process and ensuring that both she and her family were comfortable with her final college decision, Gettysburg College. After her education, Stephanie returned to SL Network as a Program Associate on the CBI team, and is now the Associate Director of College Access!
“I experienced firsthand the benefits of CBI programming and it brings me great joy to be a part of this team! It is a great feeling to return and grow within an organization that personally impacted me as a student”
Teaching
Our alumnae recognize that access to quality education is a powerful tool in creating a more equitable society. Many now work as teachers across various school settings!
TYWLS Manager at SL Network
Kristen Gordon (TYWLS East Harlem’14) was inspired by the empowering environment for women at TYWLS East Harlem and the support, knowledge, and advice offered by her DCC. After graduating college, Kristen spent three years teaching at an all-boys school in Brooklyn, NY, before landing her dream job as the Manager of TYWLS at SL Network!
“My experience as a TYWLS alumna allows me to use my own perspective and that of my close friends to create change that all of our teenage selves would have wanted us to see.”
Dual Language Teacher at Tier 1 School in East Harlem
Janet Vidal (TYWLS East Harlem ’10) never envisioned herself becoming a teacher until she had the opportunity to study abroad in Tanzania, India, New Zealand, and Guatemala as a college student at Skidmore College. Through traveling, Janet recognized the power of education and now works as a Dual Language Teacher at a Tier One School in East Harlem.
“I never thought about being a teacher but after traveling the world, an opportunity I obtained thanks to my education, I realized how important education was. I have been teaching ever since and I am in my sixth year.”
Social Justice
Our alumnae have returned to the communities they grew up in, motivated to create social change.
Community Organizer and Assemblymember Liaison
Ayat Husseini (TYWLS Astoria ’16) works as the Community Liason for Assemblymember Zorhan K. Mamdani, representing Astoria, the neighborhood she grew up in. Ayat is a leader, navigating constituents’ issues across city, state, federal, and community levels. Through her work, Ayat often has the opportunity to reconnect with TYWLS Astoria, hosting tabling events to get the word out about social service programs!
“The most incredible part of being able to effect positive change in Astoria is that I know so many of the people who are directly impacted by the work I get to do. They were not only my neighbors but my classmates, my teachers, and the people who helped me become the person I am today.”
Co-Founder of Ravenswood Community Fridge
Leslie Miranda (TYWLS Astoria ’14) is grateful that her DCC at TYWLS Astoria always supported her ambitious college dreams. Now, Leslie is a leader in the Astoria community! She is the Co-Founder of Ravenswood Community Fridge, founded on the need for food relief during the pandemic. Leslie runs the fridge under a food justice mod
“These days you can spot me in my spare time doing food rescues and organizing for the Ravenswood Community Fridge, which my close friend, Gisselle (TYWLS ’14 alumni) and I founded last year in our hometown Astoria, Queens.”
Make sure to check out our 25th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight series to learn more about the various ways in which our female alumni are leaders in their communities.
