Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations 

Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations 

At Urban Resource Institute (URI), we witness every day the strength, resilience, and determination of women who rise—despite hardship, despite obstacles—to create brighter futures for themselves and for the generations to come. This Women’s History Month, we proudly celebrate the 2025 theme, Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations, honoring the trailblazers, mentors, and educators who have transformed lives through leadership, empowerment, and advocacy. 

Women’s history is not just a record of past achievements—it is a living, ongoing movement. It is written in the actions of the predominantly female-identified staff at URI who uplift each other and the survivors we serve, offering leadership, mentorship, and education to end cycles of abuse, poverty, and pain. Every day, these extraordinary women provide safety, support, and skills that enable survivors to reclaim their independence, rewrite their futures, and rise beyond their past. 

As we commemorate the women who have shaped history, we also look ahead—to those who are shaping the future. In just a few months, we will gather for our annual URI Celebration: Rise Up! gala, where we will honor women whose stories embody this year’s theme—women who have broken barriers, shattered silence, and uplifted communities through their courage, vision, and purpose. 

Trailblazer Award: Raamla Mohamed – A groundbreaking creator and showrunner who is reshaping the narratives of powerful, complex women and using storytelling as a tool for social change. 

Triumph Award: Aaliyah Duah & Obina Escort  – A remarkable mother-daughter duo who transformed their lives with the support of URI and are now leading others toward healing, financial empowerment, and generational success. 

Visionary Award: Dr. Lisa Ross – A healthcare leader and former URI Board member whose commitment to service, mentorship, and advocacy has created pathways for countless women in medicine and beyond. 

These women, like so many before them, are proof that when women rise, they lift generations with them. Their leadership, courage, and mentorship are the embodiment of Moving Forward Together—a call to action that reminds us that progress is not a solo journey, but a collective movement. 

As we honor Women’s History Month, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting survivors, investing in women’s empowerment, and ensuring that every woman can live a life full of possibility, free from poverty and violence.

Together, we rise. Together, we move forward. Together, we inspire the next generation. 

Visit urinyc.org/2025-uri-celebration/ to purchase tickets or to learn more about URI Celebration: Rise Up!