On Thursday, September 20, social justice advocates, elected officials, other community and supporters joined The New York Women’s Foundation® in honoring two dynamic young women leaders at its Neighborhood Awards Dinner.  Luna Ranjit and Ana Maria Archila received the 2007 Neighborhood Leadership Award for their outstanding contributions as activists and change-makers in their communities.

Ana Maria Archila, Executive Director of the Latin American Integration Center, immigrated from her native Colombia to the United States at the age of 17, and in recent years has emerged as an important immigrant advocate for civil rights, health care access and education reform in New York City. She has also initiated collaborations to increase political participation through voter mobilization, population education and community organizing. After accepting her award, Archila gave credit to her mother and her aunt, strong female role models who encouraged her to become involved in social justice work. “My path to leadership has been one of love and respect,” Archila said.

Luna Ranjit was born in Katmandu.  After earning a BA in Economics from Grinnell College and MPA in public policy at Princeton University, Luna moved to New York City, where she realized that the rapidly growing Nepali community was not being adequately served. Luna teamed up with three other women to start “Adhikaar,” a nonprofit that addresses all human rights and social justice issues pertaining to New York City’s diverse Nepali population. “Adhikaar is a women-led group,” Ranjit stated, “and it will stay that way. There are very few leadership opportunities for Nepali women—even in New York City.”

Established in honor of the Foundation’s co-founder, Helen LaKelly Hunt, the Neighborhood Leadership Awards, promotes the power of women acting in and for their communities and honors those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and committed involvement in neighborhood-based work on behalf of women and girls. Emceeing the program were the co-chairs of the event and NYWF board members, Aiyoung Choi and Brook Beardsley who were joined by the NYWF Board Co-Chairs, Antoinette E. Labelle and Rhonda Joy McLean.

This year’s keynote speaker was Purvi Shah, Executive Director of Sakhi for South Asian Women, a community-based anti-violence organization located in New York City.  Ms. Shah is recently joined the NYWF Board of Directors.

The dinner counted also on an outpouring of support by local politicians, including State Senator John Sabini, Assembly Member Ivan Lafayette, and Council Members Helen Sears and David Weprin. Council Member Sears who presented the Foundation with a Proclamation.