At the heart of every movement for justice are the women working tirelessly at the grassroots level—leading, organizing, and serving their communities with care and solidarity. The Women’s Community Catalyst Award (WCCA) was created to honor and uplift the most vital yet most overlooked members of our movement: immigrant and refugee women working for their communities at the grassroots level. They are the foundation of our fight for justice, ensuring their communities receive support while also organizing and advocating for meaningful change.
This year, the award holds even greater significance. As the Trump administration escalates attacks on immigrants and refugees, the women of our communities continue to rise to the occasion. They remain unwavering in their commitment to serving and supporting their communities, from providing vital legal aid to organizing for policy change to creating spaces of care and belonging. Their leadership ensures that families receive the care they need, that policies reflect the realities of those most impacted, and that belonging and inclusion remain within reach.
The selection committee was deeply moved by the over 70 nominations we received—each one a powerful testament to the dedication, impact, and resilience of women leading at the grassroots level. Every nominee embodies the spirit of this award, and the selection committee had the difficult task of choosing among so many leaders.
Among all the incredible nominations, the committee was especially inspired by the stories of three women who truly epitomize what it means to be a community catalyst. Their work demonstrates the power of grassroots organizing, the importance of care and solidarity, and the unwavering devotion to serving their communities. We Are All America is proud to recognize Eréndira Rendón, Fereshteh Ganjavi, and Maryam Sy as the recipients of the 2025 Women’s Community Catalyst Award!
Eréndira (Ere) Rendón
As an undocumented leader in Chicago, Ere has dedicated her career to expanding opportunities and access for immigrants. As Vice President of Immigrant Justice at The Resurrection Project (TRP), she has led transformative policy and programmatic efforts at both the city and state levels. She was instrumental in creating the Chicago Legal Protection Fund in 2016, the first publicly funded initiative in Illinois providing legal services and education for undocumented individuals. Under her leadership, the fund has grown from $1.5 million to $3 million, serving thousands each year. In 2019, she led the expansion of this model statewide, forming a powerful coalition of Black, Brown, and immigrant organizations to launch Illinois Access to Justice—a $25 million initiative supporting over 80 community-based organizations providing legal aid to undocumented individuals and those impacted by incarceration.
Ere is a champion for leadership development and increasing representation in legal services. She established the Colibrí Fellowship for DOJ Accreditation, which has trained over 70 immigrant fellows to become legal representatives, increasing access to justice nationwide. Her advocacy has driven key pro-immigrant policies in Illinois, including healthcare expansion for undocumented adults and the creation of the immigration unit within the Cook County Public Defender’s office. Through her work, Ere continues to fight for equal protections, access, and the right to joy for all..
Fereshteh Ganjavi
Fereshteh Ganjavi exemplifies leadership through her unwavering commitment to refugee and immigrant communities in Connecticut. Originally from Afghanistan, she is the founder and executive director of Elena’s Light, an organization that has transformed the lives of thousands of refugee women and families by addressing critical gaps in healthcare, education, and economic empowerment. Her innovative programs go beyond the standard resettlement support, providing one-on-one ESL tutoring, at-home health education, and legal rights presentations that have helped over 7,000 refugees navigate language barriers and access essential services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led rapid-response efforts, distributing 2,500 masks, ensuring vaccine access for over 130 community members, and organizing Know Your Rights presentations in response to shifting immigration policies. She has also redefined refugee health research by securing a prestigious PCORI engagement award, forming a coalition of over 40 stakeholders to shape research priorities and healthcare solutions that center refugee voices.
Fereshteh’s leadership extends beyond immediate aid—she builds long-term, sustainable solutions to empower refugee women toward independence. She created the ESL for Driving Permit Preparation Program, removing linguistic and systemic barriers that prevent women from obtaining driver’s licenses, a crucial step toward economic mobility. Her culturally tailored health education workshops ensure women can advocate for their well-being, while her strategic partnerships with hospitals, universities, and government agencies amplify refugee voices in policymaking. Through Elena’s Light, she fosters community-driven solutions that empower refugees to build strong, self-sufficient lives, ensuring equal access, protections, and opportunities for all.
Maryam Sy
Maryam Sy is a dedicated advocate for immigrant rights and language access, serving as the Organizing Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance. Raised in France and Senegal and now based in Ohio, she has played a critical role in supporting Black Mauritanians facing deportation and advocating for asylum protections. During the Trump administration, she spent hundreds of hours conducting interviews with over 250 individuals deported or forced to leave the U.S., many of whom faced severe persecution upon return. Her research became the foundation for the #ReuniteUS project and the book Broken Hope, amplifying the voices of deported individuals and helping them advocate for a chance to reunite with their families. Through media coverage, public events, and direct advocacy, Maryam has ensured that their stories are heard in both policy and public discourse.
Beyond her research and organizing, Maryam is a fierce advocate for language justice in the immigration system. As a freelance interpreter and translator, she bridges the communication gap for Fulani-speaking asylum seekers, ensuring they can fully articulate their cases in immigration proceedings. She has exposed systemic language barriers in U.S. immigration courts, documenting cases where incorrect dialects were used, leading to miscommunications with life-altering consequences. Maryam also leads the “Know Your Role” program, educating community organizations and local governments on how to serve immigrants while resisting complicity in immigration enforcement. A devoted community leader, she and her family serve as an informal welcoming committee for newly arrived African immigrants in Cleveland, offering housing, meals, and support to help them establish their lives in the U.S. Through her relentless work, Maryam continues to fight for equal protections, access, and the right to dignity and belonging for all.
These women inspire us with their vision, their dedication, and their relentless pursuit of justice. Their leadership reminds us that true change happens at the grassroots level, powered by those who serve with love, care, and resilience.
