RISE-ing Women: Women’s Empowerment Initiative

The Women Empowerment Project began in 2011 as the Mother and Children Program, offering English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, personalized tutoring, and citizenship preparation to refugee mothers. With the help of volunteers from Syracuse University, who provided childcare during sessions, more than 50 women and their children participated. Nearly 30 of these women passed their citizenship tests on the first try, despite beginning with limited English proficiency.

RISE recognized that, although there were many refugee women in Syracuse, few were stepping into leadership roles. In many of their native cultures, women and girls typically stay at home and do not engage in civic or community affairs. Identifying this as a critical barrier, RISE set out to help these women adjust to life in the United States and discover the leadership opportunities available to them.

In 2013, RISE officially launched the Women Empowerment Project to address these needs. The program focuses on developing communication, negotiation, and public speaking skills, empowering women to advocate for themselves and others. Participants learn how to obtain and keep employment, pursue promotions, assume leadership roles within the community, and engage in local government.

Many participants have been inspired to return to school, complete high school diplomas, and pursue higher education and professional careers—including those in STEM fields, which were previously out of reach for many of them.

One of the project’s greatest successes was the election of Mrs. Sangabo Abdi as RISE’s first female Board President, and the appointment of Ms. Khadija Musa as the organization’s first female Secretary. In September 2014, a group of young women from the program, along with Executive Director Haji Adan, met with Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. During their visit, the women confidently discussed their experiences and the program’s impact. The Mayor praised RISE’s efforts and encouraged the women to collaborate with other refugee communities to expand the reach of their leadership and advocacy.

The Women Empowerment Project is made possible through generous support from the Women’s Fund of Central New York.