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Chelsea Women's Commission panel at Roca spotlights immigrant women's paths to work, education and childcare
Summary
A Chelsea Women's Commission International Women's Day roundtable at Roca featured immigrant entrepreneurs, a health-care practitioner and local city staff who shared personal stories about overcoming hardship, the role of education and the work of community organizations to support women and girls in Chelsea (date not specified).
Lourdes —lvarez, who identified herself as a member of the Chelsea Women's Commission, opened an International Women's Day roundtable at Roca by thanking the organization for hosting and framing the panel as an informal conversation about connection and opportunity for women and girls in Chelsea.
The panel brought together immigrant entrepreneurs, a health-care practitioner and city employees to share personal stories about education, work and family. Cosmina, an aesthetician and trainer who said she emigrated from Romania, described starting from "nothing" and building a lash-studio training business. "Anything that you put your mind into it you can do it," she said.
Dr. Jenny Rivillas Oni, introduced in both English and Spanish passages and identified in the Spanish transcript as Dra. Jenny Rivillas Oni, described arriving from Colombia and finding a path through work at Chelsea High School's student health center that led her into nursing and advanced degrees. She said education "raises the playing field" and described her experience as motivating her to support young women in Chelsea.
Another panelist who identified herself as a city employee and a member of the Chelsea Women's Commission (giving her English-name as "Shy") said she also serves as a union president and emphasized the value of female support networks in the community. Viviana, who said she arrived in the U.S. at age 12 and was a young mother, told the panel how she bought property and opened a childcare academy in Boston; she said the program now employs teachers and serves about 23 children.
Panelists discussed how definitions of "success" change across life stages and cultures, noting that women often feel they must be ‘‘overqualified’’ before seeking leadership roles. The speakers urged women to occupy public and professional spaces and to pass on aspiration to the next generation.
Organizers closed by thanking attendees, noting that additional programming would follow: a small-group circle in the conference room for further conversation, with limited space for participants.
The event underscored local efforts by community organizations and the Chelsea Women's Commission to build networks and highlight pathways to education, entrepreneurship and child-care support for immigrant women and other residents.
