Why did you create EWI?

I came to the U.S. on September 20, 2001, 9 days after Sept 11. America was going through a very difficult time and the immigrants’ image was completely distorted. Finding a professional job as an immigrant was not an easy task. In my case, although I was highly qualified, with many proven results in my native Romania, work and career opportunities in my field were hard to find in the United States. I did not speak English well, and my credentials were from a country about which most Americans knew very little.

I initially felt lost and disempowered. I needed some guidance to understand how to begin to build a career and earn credentials.

In looking for guidance I realized that there was no institution to creatively address the needs of skilled and talented immigrant women, and to prepare them culturally and businesslike for the American market. There was no cohesive community for expressing the immigrant experience through storytelling, canvas, music or dance. Yet all of the women I met were highly talented and eager to share their life stories, arts and cultural values.

My idea was to create a community of support and empowerment for immigrant women that would allow them to value their talents, certify their credentials and transform ideas and opportunities through business knowledge into sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.

Marga, you have accomplished a lot in such a short period of time. Has there been a turning point in EWI, a point when you thought the organization might fail?

If you knew me well, then you would know that failure is not part of my agenda.

I always believed that if “there is no way, someone has to build one,” and that is the attitude I have had for my whole life. However, being a newcomer to America with very limited contacts and financial support, I could have failed many times. What kept me always above the water was my commitment to further the immigrant experience in America, create opportunities for voiceless people, and help women find ways to succeed by doing what they love. And ultimately this is the American dream we all aim to seize.

If I buy an item from the EWI gallery, what does that purchase do for EWI? How does my purchase effect the woman who produced it?

Every art piece sold in our gallery provides the artist with 50% of the price. This year alone, EWI paid over $15,000 to more than 15 artist members who sold art through our gallery. This is quite an impressive number considering that our overall budget in 2006 was approximately $60,000.

The other 50% goes back into our programs, and allows the organization to provide business skills and art exposure to our artists members.

The major challenge remains to raise funding to pay for general operating expenses and cover the monthly rent for our gallery/office. To address this issue we created the Giving Circle of Twelve, an EWI donor community in which every member contributes $1,000 a year to underwrite the rent for a month. For 2007 we secured funding for two months of the year, and are looking to identify 10 more donors to join our giving circle.

Gallery and General Support Volunteers

We need volunteers to assist with administrative tasks during regular work hours. To volunteer, e-mail Katie, the Gallery Manager, at katie@ewint.org

Internship Openings

EWI has three openings for part-time, unpaid interns/volunteers. The positions are: Grantwriters (2) and Internet Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator(1).

Candidates's profiles: dynamic, entrepreneurial, great writing and communication skills, work well in team as well as independently. Time committment: 15-20 h/week starting January 30, 07.

To apply, e-mail Marga with your resume and a brief letter of intent at cfripp@aol.com

This gorgeous art piece available for sale at our gallery and online shop created by talented Turkish-American artist, Nihal Kececi, is one of the many special art gifts that you can give for this Valentine.

Our Valentine's collection includes unique gems and bead art jewelry by immigrant and foreign-born women artists, and a new collection of paintings and mosaics featuring Nihal Kececi, Marina Reiter, Nina Tisara, among many others.