“Power is in your soul. It is what your ancestors, your old people gave you,” – Winona LaDuke. What gifts did your ancestors give you?
I was given strength, resilience, generosity, kindness, compassion, curiosity and the capacity to share love and joy with all my human family.
Maria Julia Sorrentino
Brooklyn, New York
Italian/Argentian - First Generation USA Citizen
she/her/ella
I am 65-year old mother of twin daughters, an educator and a dedicated member of my college's DEI Committee collaborating with colleagues and working to build bridges. It is slow and frustrating work at times - but to me, it is worth all the effort required.

As the child of immigrants, I know what it means to be harassed, marginalized and discounted without being given a chance. I am determined to help us collectively triumph over fear and misinformation by showing up and doing my part to connect with my fellow Americans and encourage conversation and understanding.

I find our beautiful rainbow of cultures and ways of being and loving a blessing we take for granted. I wish to preserve and turn up the volume on sharing those differences for all our benefit.

I often wonder how many solutions to the challenges, threats and persistent problems we collectively face, may be found in the ideas and perspectives of those our current systems disenfranchise and shut out of the conversation.

I am tired of watching us all being chewed up by our current broken systems and baked-in biases and refuse to invest in what is because I don't want to feed the beast. I rather believe in us and the great changes we're capable of if we set our intentions and follow with collective action!

I call to each of us to gather the will and courage to take the actions necessary to start to turn this mess around. I wish that we not only survive but thrive, by choosing to refocus on true progress towards perfecting our diverse union.

I am committed to doing all I can to help that happen and look forward to working with my fellow Americans and world citizens towards this solemn and important goal.