Oct 5, 2021
Emma Violand-Sánchez has used her life experiences and acquired knowledge to change the lives of children in Virginia. She was Arlington’s first Latina teacher, Arlington County School Board’s first Latina member, and a staunch advocate for support and resources for the latino community in Arlington and beyond. In 2011, she founded the Dream Project, a non-profit organization providing immigrant and refugee students with mentorship, advocacy, scholarships and assistance enrolling into and graduating from Virginia universities and colleges.
How does a 16-year-old come to the DC region on her own and become a regional leader? What were some of the obstacles in her rise to becoming the first Latina teacher and board member for Arlington County Schools? And how has the Dream Project impact thousands of lives of latino students and their families?