Marta Urquilla

The Bold Idea:

Sister to Sister / Hermana a Hermana (STS/HAH) is an arts and leadership program that works with girls and young women, ages 9-18, in the Columbia Heights and Shaw neighborhoods of Washington, DC. STS/HAH recognizes that girls and young women need safe learning spaces where they can receive support and guidance, develop their skills and build healthy relationships with other youth and adults. Through ongoing workshops and activities held in centers and schools, STS/HAH provides opportunities for girls and young women to become leaders and to realize their vision for themselves and their community. (1995 - 2006)

Biography:

Marta is Assistant Director of Youth Activism at the American Legacy Foundation. Her extensive background in youth engagement includes serving as Founder/Director of Sister to Sister/Hermana a Hermana, an arts and leadership organization for girls and young women of color in DC; Director of Youth Initiatives at One Economy Corporation where she developed Digital Connectors, a national youth leadership and technology program; Youth Development Director at Calvary Bilingual Multicultural Learning Center (now CentroNia); and consultant to the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group in Montgomery, Alabama. Marta is a board member of Pop and Politics and a member of All Souls Church. She received an Echoing Green Fellowship in 1995 and a WIN Young Woman of Achievement Award in 1999. She graduated from Duke University with degrees in Literature and Visual Arts.