Woman of Consequence Awards honor Claremont Academy student and local advocate

WORCESTER — Two city women were honored with the Woman of Consequence Award at a ceremony at City Hall Wednesday evening.

The City of Worcester Advisory Committee on the Status of Women bestowed the honor for the 2024 Woman of Consequence Award to Jermoh Kamara and the 2024 Young Woman of Consequence award to Anahit Marutyan, a junior at Claremont Academy.

This year's award's theme was "Trailblazing through Mentorship," highlighted in the keynote speech by Mari Gonzalez.

Gonzalez has fostered over 25 children, and in her speech she said it taught her about the importance of mentorship, especially for young girls. She reflected on her role as a mentor and the people who mentored her along the way.

"Each person that has left their mark in my life has made me the person I am right now," Gonzalez said. "For the past 10 years, I've had the privilege of mentoring over 20 children in the foster care system. I've learned that mentorship is about building relationships and empowering everyone around you."

Gonzalez said mentorship is more than sharing knowledge. It is about making a difference in someone's life.

Kamara immigrated to Worcester from Liberia in West Africa when she was 11. Wednesday night, Kamara was named the city's 2023 Woman of Consequence, an honor recognizing Kamara's work in Worcester.

Kamara is a co-founder and president of the Massachusetts Organization of African Decedents, a citywide task force to address the barriers and inequity faced by the African community in Worcester. She also served as an at-large Worcester School Committee member from 2021 to 2023 and founded a nonprofit for in school-based health while partnering with seven schools in Liberia.

"This recognition is not solely my own, but a testament of the grace of God and the unwavering support of the community, my loved ones and advocates," Kamara said. "They enabled me to do amazing things."

As MOAD president, Kamara was also responsible for the annual Worcester African Festival, an event celebrating African culture with the goal of promoting the diversity of African culture.

In her speech, Kamara spoke of the recent double slaying of a mother and her daughter. She took this as an opportunity to address violence against women.

"As I reflect on the recent, devastating events of the tragic loss of a young lady and her daughter, I'm reminded of the consequences of violence against women," Kamara said. "We should challenge the societal barriers that prevent women from achieving their full potential."

Although Kamara did not know the victims personally, she and the mother were graduates of South High Community School. In her acceptance speech, she offered the family condolences.

Marutyan was born and raised in Yerevan, Armenia. She immigrated to the United States in 2021.

As a high school student, Marutyan participates in the Early College Program at Claremont Academy. She is also part of USC Shoah Foundation's William Lauder Internship Program, which teaches about genocide and the Holocaust through accounts of survivors.

"Accepting this award is a dream I never dared to imagine," Marutyan said. "It's a testament to countless hours of hard work and determination."

As an immigrant, Marutyan said her culture is of the utmost importance to her.

"The strength of the Armenian spirit is deeply ingrained in our heritage and is a source of inspiration as I navigate the challenges and triumphs of the immigrant experience," Marutyan said.

The first few years of her experience in America were an "obstacle," Marutyan said. She was not a native English speaker and had to learn it for success in the United States.

"Every conversation was a puzzle to solve, and every interaction was an opportunity to grow," Marutyan said. "Yet, with perseverance and a thirst for knowledge, I embraced the challenge."

Marutyan is the co-creator of the Instagram account "Our Strive 4 Change," a page run by three students that spreads awareness and educates young people on racial and social justice, climate change and other issues. The account was created last May to "champion change" and make a future equitable for everyone.

Marutyan holds various leadership roles such as Student Council representative, Climate and Culture Committee member and a Superintendent's Student Advisory Council member.

Marutyan has a passion for criminal justice and law. She had an internship with the Worcester County District Attorney, Probate and Family Court.

"Because of my mentors, your interest and belief in my potential is a lesson by others," Marutyan said. "The immigration journey is not just a struggle, but it is certainly a tried and shared success."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Woman of Consequence Awards honor Claremont student and local advocate