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The ɫ����ƵSchool of Social Work Student Organization and the Applied Arts and Social Justice certificate program collaborated with Empower The Immigrant Woman and local artists for an event to celebrate the accomplishments of Maine’s immigrant community.

“Celebrating Empowerment: A Multicultural Showcase” featured local multicultural artwork as well as a short film screening followed by a panel discussion with individuals from the film and members of the Portland, Maine immigrant community.

The film, Out of the Shadows: The Immigrant Woman, was created for the inaugural “Empower The Immigrant Woman Conference” and offers a unique perspective on the modern day Maine immigrant story. Six Maine immigrant women share their journeys and offer insight into how they persevered to overcome barriers to start businesses and organizations, further their education and give back to their local communities. Their words of wisdom reach across cultures, race and class to resonate with any individual desiring to feel empowered.  

“With a goal of going beyond a one-time educational opportunity, we are aiming to create sustainable dialogue and community partnerships,” said ɫ����Ƶ Master of Social Work student Rebecca Baker, who helped to organize the event. “Our vision is to identify and build long term collaborative pathways toward positive growth in our community.”

Fellow ɫ����Ƶ MSW student Jaime Mastrorio said, “This is an opportunity to build strong and authentic connections within our community, to create and foster a relationship that allows us to learn how to strengthen our community together.”

Meg Webster of the ɫ����Ƶ School of Social Work wrote and produced the film with Donna Gasper Jarvis, personal historian and social justice educator. “It's always an honor to work with Empower and all those affiliated,” Webster said. “Our aim is that the event be as celebratory as it is informative, and that this mark the beginning of an on-going relationship between ɫ����Ƶ and all those individuals and communities involved."  

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