Marissa Martinez, a 2016 alumna of the Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD), continues to draw on her WILD experience and make an impact in her country, Panama. She credits WILD with sparking a vision that gave her a new direction.
“Since returning from WILD 2016, I’ve dreamed of creating an organization for women with disabilities in my country. My greatest pride is awakening the leadership of other women, and I reaffirmed that with the experience that WILD gave me.”
That dream is becoming a reality. Marissa is co-founder and elected President of AMADIPA (Asociación de Mujeres Autónomas con Discapacidad de Panamá), which is currently completing its legal registration. AMADIPA is the first disabled women’s organization in Panama!
Even in its early stages, her organization is already making an impact. Through AMADIPA, she organized Panama’s first workshop focused on disability and sexual diversity, which MIUSA had the honor of supporting as part of our Inclusive Movement Building seed grants program. AMADIPA has also been active at United Nations forums in Panama to advocate for disability rights, and they have partnered with MADRE, a global feminist grant-making organization Marissa connected with during WILD.
We can’t wait to see what’s next and cheer on AMADIPA as they embark on this bold and exciting, new journey!