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Diaspora Multicultural Society, Inc., 90 John Street, New Britain, CT (2026)

03/31/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we extend our gratitude to the incredible women who allowed us to share their stories (in as much or as little detail as they felt comfortable). Your willingness to hold both strength and vulnerability in the same space is powerful, and it is more inspiring than words can capture.

Across these stories, we heard themes of resilience, community, motherhood, mentorship, faith, perseverance, service, and the courage it takes to move forward despite life's challenges. From overcoming self-doubt, loss, trauma, to advocating for others, building families and careers, and lifting communities along the way, each voice reminded us that history is shaped by everyday acts of care, leadership, and determination.

There are many more women whose stories deserve to be highlighted, and we hope to continue this tradition in the years ahead. For us, it was most important that every feature centered consent and allowed each Woman of DIASP🌍RA to speak in her own words.

We hope our community found stories that felt familiar, inspiring, affirming, or found wisdom worth carrying forward.

History is still being written, every single day, by women who persevere and make space for others to rise. We're happy and proud to share space with so many of them.

✨ She is DIASP🌍RA.
✨ And her story matters.

03/26/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Linda Butts Brooks Miller
Retired Registered Nurse; Retired 8th Grade Science Teacher
Middletown / New Britain

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“I overcame the challenge of being a motherless child at age five, along with my twin and younger sister. Adjusting and adapting became a way of life, and I learned to take advantage of opportunities that could help me better myself, like the Wesleyan Upward Bound program and heeding the advice of older and wiser people in my village, including Lillian ‘Aunt Rebie’ Moses and Willard McRae.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“I just celebrated my 75th birthday, and at my party I was celebrated by my children and their children in a way that made me realize they’ve been watching me and that I’ve set a good example. What better impact could I ask for?”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Be your best self, and when you know better, do better. Always be willing to learn, to understand, and want for others what you want for yourself.”

✨ She is making history every single day.
✨ She is DIASP🌍RA.

03/25/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Gerrie Ann Diaz
Sr. Procurement Specialist, RTX

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“The challenge has been to continuously stay strong—to rise above whatever comes and keep moving forward no matter the obstacle at hand.

I was born and raised in Hartford, and I wouldn’t change a thing. My family moved throughout the city as my parents worked hard to provide a better life, going from living in the projects to owning a home, and from Catholic school to the public school system. I learned early to work hard, study, and help our neighbors. My mother, my rock, kept me involved in school activities, extracurriculars, and weekend church service projects, so being active in the community wasn’t a choice—it was an expectation that I proudly continue today.

A strong network of role models, friends, and family kept me growing, which is why I strive to do the same for others. I earned a BA from UConn and a Master’s from Leslie University. I’ve built a career primarily in aerospace manufacturing, along with healthcare and industrial fields. Life hasn’t always been easy, but each closed door has led me to the next opportunity, keeping me humble, practical, and resilient.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“I am most proud of serving as a loaned community executive through my employer with the United Way. I had always given back through hands-on service, this role allowed me to advocate publicly, connecting businesses with community needs and helping raise funds for vital programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters, community centers such as Y-USS, Mi Casa, camps, and summer programs.

Giving back through Girl Scouts, youth leadership, and local organizations has allowed me to support others daily—and there is no greater reward than contributing to the well-being of our community.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Stay positive, help others, keep moving forward, and smile—because life is too short. Be judgment-free and remember that we all need each other in one way or another. No matter your status, we are all equal, and kindness will always matter."

03/24/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Idalia Crespo, MS, LPC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor | School Counselor & Assistant to the Principal
Founder, The Healing Project | Founding Member, Diaspora Multicultural Society

Community/Organization:
The Healing Project | City of New Britain | Education & Mental Health Advocacy

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“As a first-generation professional and former emergent bilingual student, I had to learn how to navigate systems that were not always designed with students like me in mind. Moving from Puerto Rico to the United States as a teenager, I faced a profound cultural shift and the challenge of not knowing the language, which required resilience, adaptability, and determination. I carried the responsibility of breaking barriers while still finding my voice and confidence.

Those experiences shaped my commitment to advocating for equity, education, and mental health in my community, and they continue to drive my work to inspire others who may be navigating similar paths.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“I am most proud of creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal and grow. Through education, counseling, and my private practice, The Healing Project—built from the ground up—I strive to help individuals and families build resilience and access opportunities that once felt out of reach. Building something rooted in healing and service has allowed me to give back to my community and open doors for others, which has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Never underestimate the power of your voice, your story, and your perseverance. Work hard, even when the path is not easy, and don’t be afraid of failure—these often become the greatest lessons and opportunities for growth. When doors close, find the courage to push others open, and when no one offers you a seat at the table, build your own. Walk through doors even when you are the first, and when you reach new spaces, hold the door open for others. Your purpose will always be greater than the obstacles in front of you.”

03/23/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Candiss Brooks
Licensed Practical Nurse
Middlesex Health

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“My greatest challenge was overcoming self-doubt while navigating life as a young mother of three. Becoming a first-generation Licensed Practical Nurse allowed me to transform my natural empathy into a professional force for good.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“I pride myself on being an advocate who empowers others—from my patients managing the red tape of healthcare to my own children and grandchildren. I’ve raised my family to know that their voices matter, teaching them that while people may forget a name, they will never forget the kindness and dignity you showed them.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Never hush your own feelings or the feelings of those coming after you; there is immense power in emotional health. When you know better, you do better, so always aim to leave people better than you found them.”

✨ She is making history every single day.
✨ She is DIASP🌍RA.

03/20/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Anitra Brooks
Performing Artist and Music Educator
Greenwich Country Day School

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“Fourteen days of rain. In the woods carrying a 50 lb backpack. Using my shoelaces and a plastic tarp for shelter. With a group of other 13-year-olds who were homesick, afraid, hungry, exhausted, hypothermic, whose clothes stayed wet for two weeks.

In June of 1989, I discovered that I was able to do more than just survive in inhospitable conditions—I was able to thrive, and then emerge as a leader. If I could find my home in the wilderness, with the earth as my couch, then I could find my home anywhere.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“As a teacher of Music & Movement to children ages 3–6, I love learning from their parents (sometimes with video accompaniment!) that they play ‘Music Class’ at home. They pretend to be Ms. Brooks and teach their parents and younger siblings how to sing and dance. It fills my heart to know that many of my students have even expressed that they want to be music teachers when they grow up. Teaching music is my second career—one that fell in my lap—and I had no idea how lasting the impact could be.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Make nature connection a part of your daily life, and commit to its lessons as if your life depends on it. Learn how to identify plants, grow food, heal ailments, repair injuries, make woodland crafts, and live in harmony with the land. Pay attention to the cycles of the moon, the seasons, the first songs of spring frogs, and the call of a blue jay.

Go on an extended outdoor excursion. Try something hard, and do it in community—without your phone. So many people of color were trained to fear the wilderness, when in fact it is our birthright to tap into this source of power and enjoy the abundance it provides. It doesn’t belong to some; it belongs to all. Go remember what is already inside of you.”

✨ She is making history every single day.
✨ She is DIASP🌍RA.

03/19/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Diana Reyes
President, New Britain Board of Education
Child Care Licensing Specialist, Office of Early Childhood

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“One of the greatest challenges I’ve worked to overcome—and continue to navigate—is self-doubt. There have been many moments where I questioned whether I truly belonged in the spaces and positions I was stepping into. I’ve learned that growth doesn’t come from waiting for doubt to disappear; it comes from moving forward despite it. It has become a daily choice: choosing to believe in myself, to take up space, and to trust that I am worthy of every opportunity I pursue. The woman I am today exists because I continue to rise beyond it.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“The impact I’m most proud of is the role I’ve played in strengthening early childhood systems to better support children, families, and educators. Through my work in quality improvement at the state level, I’ve helped shape practices and supports that extend beyond individual programs and create lasting change across communities. As both a professional and a mother, this work is deeply personal. I’m proud to advocate for equitable access to high-quality early childhood experiences and to support the educators who make that possible every day. Knowing that my contributions help build stronger foundations for children and influence systems on a larger scale is what motivates my purpose.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Trust your path. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind or that you should have everything figured out, but everyone’s journey looks different—and that’s okay. What is meant for you will come when it’s right for you. Stay focused on your path, even when it doesn’t look like anyone else’s. Give yourself grace, keep showing up, and don’t let comparison or doubt rush your process. The right opportunities will find you, and when they do, you’ll be ready for them.”

✨ She is making history every single day.
✨ She is DIASP🌍RA.

03/18/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Dr. Violet Jiménez Sims
Educator, Co-Owner, Sims Squared
President, Diaspora Multicultural Society

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“My earliest challenges began as a child navigating life as an immigrant—learning a new language while trying to understand a new world. I arrived expecting stability, but life unfolded differently through abandonment, periods without permanent housing, and hardships that forced me to grow up quickly.

What I understand now is that circumstances do not define potential. No matter how much poverty, trauma, or uncertainty someone experiences, we all carry assets waiting to be nurtured and cultivated. Mine were resilience, resourcefulness, and a strong academic foundation in Spanish, paired with the blessing of a village that eventually helped hold me up. Those experiences shaped not only my survival, but my purpose.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“There is much to be proud of when you feel like you’ve beaten the odds, but the work closest to my heart is uplifting bilingualism. I am proud to have advocated for the return of dual language programming in New Britain and to support schools and districts in building and strengthening bilingual and dual language programs.

Through publications that contribute to bilingual scholarship and through watching my own children take initiative in sustaining language and culture, I see how advocacy becomes legacy. Every time multilingualism is honored as an asset rather than a barrier, my heart is full.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Life is about balance—learning from those who paved the way while having the courage to blaze new trails of your own. Balance knowing when to listen and when your voice must interrupt. Balance honoring your story while remembering you can rewrite chapters as you grow.

The world needs all of us. When we commit to bringing out the best in one another, we create the kind of community where everyone has space to rise.”

✨ She is making history every single day.
✨ She is DIASP🌍RA.

03/17/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Wilma Barbosa
Councilwoman/Assistant Majority Leader, City of NB
Executive Director, Diaspora Multicultural Foundation

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“My story is one of survival, healing, and transformation. I survived childhood molestation, then domestic violence. There were moments in life when the pain could have easily defined me or broken my spirit. But instead of letting those experiences silence me, they fueled a determination to rise, heal, and become a voice for others who may feel unheard.

I chose growth, education, and to believe that my life could be more than the trauma I endured.

Now, I hold a master’s degree, I serve my community as a councilwoman, and I am raising three incredible daughters who are strong, compassionate, and fearless. They are my greatest pride and reminder that breaking cycles is possible. My past did not break me. It built me.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“The impact I am most proud of is the example I set—not only for my daughters, but for every woman and young girl who may be watching my journey.

I am proud that I turned pain into purpose. That I show up for my community. That I help build spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered.

If my story helps even one person believe that they can survive what they’re going through and still build a life filled with purpose and leadership, then every challenge I faced was not in vain.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Your past does not get to write the ending of your story. No matter what you have faced, or what people have tried to place on you, you still have the power to rise, to grow, and to become the person you were meant to be.

Invest in yourself. Protect your peace. Use your voice.

And never forget that your strength is greater than any obstacle placed in your path.

Your story matters. And the world needs the light only you can bring."

"I am not defined by what I survived. I am defined by the strength it took to rise, rebuild, and lead. Surviving made me strong. Healing made me powerful. Leading is how I give my strength back to the world."

03/16/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Wanda Miller, R.N.

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“Challenges are part of life. As a parent, nurse, and caregiver, I have had my share. But life is more than what you must endure. Ultimately, the greatest challenge is to keep finding the joy and humor in your existence.

I have always tried to be, as Mr. Rogers would say, ‘a helper.’ It is an important part of me, but it took me a long time to understand that this is not my only role on this earth. As soon as I started adding my own personal growth and happiness to the mix, I truly believe any positive impact I may have in this life increased exponentially.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“For me, it is not necessary to be a ‘major player’ to have a ‘major impact.’ Tiny ripples of what is good, like ripples from pebbles in a lake, spread outward and join the ripples others make. When someone finds their voice and achieves their goals, I’d like to believe I was part of the village that gave them the strength to be who they truly are.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Surround yourself with strong, passionate, kind humans who believe in making a difference. Be part of your village.
Give support to your village.
Find support for yourself there too.
You are amazing.
Believe it.”

✨ She is making history every single day.
✨ She is DIASP🌍RA.

03/15/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Jan E. Edwards
President, New Britain Branch NAACP
Owner, 2Gurlz, LLC

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“One of my greatest challenges was learning how to stand fully in my purpose while balancing the many roles I hold in this community. As President of the New Britain NAACP, a City Planning Commissioner, President of the Mary McLeod Bethune Club, and the founder of 2Gurlz, LLC, I had to overcome the pressure of being everything for everyone. I learned to lead with clarity, confidence, and boundaries, choosing purpose over perfection. That growth shaped me into the woman I am today: grounded, resilient, and committed to serving with intention.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“I’m most proud of the impact I’ve made by creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered. Through the New Britain NAACP, I’ve helped strengthen advocacy, representation, and community voice. Through 2Gurlz, LLC, I’ve built creative wellness programs, youth empowerment workshops, and products that help people heal, reflect, and grow. The impact that matters most to me is knowing that my work, in every space I serve, helps people feel valued and connected.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“I would tell the next generation to lead with purpose, not pressure. Know who you are, what you stand for, and what you will not compromise. Your voice matters in your school, your community, and in every room you walk into.

Leadership doesn’t start with a title. It starts with courage, consistency, and character. Whether I’m serving as President of the New Britain NAACP, leading through 2Gurlz, LLC, or working in community spaces across the city, I’ve learned that real impact comes from showing up, speaking up, and lifting others as you rise.

Stay curious, stay teachable, and stay connected to your community. The world needs your ideas, your creativity, and your willingness to challenge what’s unfair. Above all, protect your peace, honor your gifts, and never underestimate the power of your presence.”

✨ She is making history every single day.
✨ She is DIASP🌍RA.

03/14/2026

🌍✨ WOMEN OF DIASP🌍RA
Celebrating Women’s History Month

Maida Santiago
Founding Member, Diaspora Multicultural Society
Owner,

What challenge did you overcome to be the woman you are today?
“Life has brought its share of challenges, including losing my parents at the young age of 14. Experiencing that kind of loss so early forced me to grow up quickly and face life in ways many young people don’t have to. It taught me how to be strong even during the hardest moments and helped me develop resilience and a deep sense of compassion for others. Instead of letting that pain harden me, I chose to let it shape me into someone who values kindness, understanding, and perseverance. That experience played a big role in molding me into the woman I am today.”

What impact are you most proud of?
“I’m most proud of being someone others can truly rely on, both in my work and in my personal life. In my role supporting individuals with special needs, I focus on being patient, listening carefully, assisting with daily tasks, encouraging independence, and making sure the people I care for feel respected, valued, and supported. At the same time, I strive to bring that same sense of compassion and reliability to my family and friends—being present, offering a listening ear, and helping whenever it’s needed. Knowing that I can provide comfort, stability, and even small moments of joy to those around me is the impact I’m most proud of, and it’s what motivates me every day to lead with empathy and care.”

What advice do you give to the next generation?
“Stay strong, believe in yourself, and remember that challenges can help you grow and shape the person you become. Approach life with patience and compassion, and don’t underestimate the difference your kindness and support can make in someone else’s life. Even small acts of understanding and encouragement can have a lasting impact, and living with empathy will guide you through life’s toughest moments while helping others along the way.”

✨ She is making history every single day.
✨ She is DIASP🌍RA.

Diaspora Multicultural Society, Inc.

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Diverse people commingling & building community