SEPA Mujer is a stand for the well-being and development of Latina immigrant women on Long Island. Our mission is to raise and unite our voices and to be heard and recognized in social, governmental and political systems. We strive to nurture and improve self-esteem, physical and emotional security, legal status and economic independence by way of information, friendship, capacity building workshops, guidance, advocacy, community organization and legal representation.
In SEPA Mujer we aim to highlight the value of Latina immigrant women in our community, and to develop their important role on Long Island. Through our courses we come to know the reality of the discrimination in which immigrant women on Long Island live, so that together with the community we can overcome the instability which encompasses us. In this process SEPA Mujer’s agenda is developed.
We stand for all organizations, institutions and governmental departments to condemn acts of violence, physical, emotional and psychological abuse against women and their families. Toward this end, we advise and educate them on the laws that protect immigrant women who are abused. Our only request to the community is to work together with us to increase our strength in the struggle for a life of dignity and freedom for ourselves and our children.
Philosophy
“Create a community of Latina immigrant woman leaders” that:
- Provides support for women by women from their own community
- Raises consciousness of shared experiences
- Sponsors leadership trainings that raise self-esteem and teach skills
- Educates women about their rights and other social and political issues relevant to their lives
- Facilitates identifying the issues and problems affecting battered immigrant women
- Helps women become involved in events and projects to change policies that harm them
- Provides a vehicle for working as equals with institutions and service providers
- Builds healthier and stronger families and communities by encouraging active, self-confident women leaders
- Provides a place to celebrate individual and collective accomplishments.
Recent accomplishments:
- Received the Samuel J. Duboff Memorial Award from the Fund for Modern Courts in recognition of the outstanding community work of SEPA Mujer;s core volunteers.
- Recognition of Martha Maffei, selected as a “Mujer del Mes” (Woman of the Month) by Mujer Actual USA Magazine for her contribution to the Latino Community of Long Island, and is a candidate for “Latina Woman of the Year”.
- Formed partnership with SBDC (Small Business Development Center ) Stony Brook where our members receive free technical assistance in opening a new business or improving their existing one.
- Participation in “Making Women in Politics a Reality: UN Women Event”
- Spearheaded opposition to Suffolk County’s bill I.R 1266, defeating the proposal to require two forms of identification to buy a prepaid cell phone. SEPA Mujer members testified powerfully to the Public Safety Committee, worked tirelessly to educate the community on the bill’s negative impact and rallied other groups to participate. An empowering victory!.
- Became an active member of Long Island Language Advocates Coalition (L.I.L.A.C.), a coalition of LI based individuals and organizations concerned about the unequal access to essential LI programs by persons with limited English proficiency.
- Held the second annual candlelight vigil in front of the Suffolk Family Court to raise awareness of the plight of violence against immigrant women on Long Island
- Conducted an International Women’s Day training for the Suffolk County Bar Association on Immigration Relief for Crime Victims. (volunteer attorney recruitment.)