Even as Covid-19 has strained nearly every aspect of life in New York City, in recent weeks, we’ve heard about so many women who are meeting the moment with creativity, intelligence and empathy.

Whether she’s pivoting her catering businesses to make food for first responders or redeploying her 3D printers to forge Covid test kits, these New Yorkers are looking at what’s possible — and how to help the city they love come back.

Michelle Alerte, New Women Space See Story Learn more about Michelle and New Women Space, a community-led event space in Brooklyn and 100% of NWS’ programming is led by self-identified POC, women, femme, queer, trans and gender nonconforming individuals. Helen Aboah, Urban Zen See Story Learn more about Helen, CEO of Urban Zen, a NYC-based luxury lifestyle and wellness brand is providing free, holistic healing to our remarkable frontline healthcare workers. Adina Levin, Collab See Story Learn more about Adina, CEO and Co-Founder of Collab, a community of world-class creatives and makers that has pivoted to assembling Covid-19 test kits—exclusively by, and for, New Yorkers. Deepti Sharma, FoodtoEat See Story Learn more about Deepti, CEO and Founder of FoodtoEat, a catering service that connects immigrant, women and minority-run food businesses with corporate clients throughout NYC and how they pivoted to support New Yorkers in need. Marcela and Wendia, Love Notes to NYC See Story Learn more about Marcela and Wendia, founders of Love Notes to NYC, an initiative filled with crowd-sourced love notes from New Yorkers to the city they love. Selma and Sara, Friendly Fridges See Story Learn more about Selma and Sara of the Friendly Fridge initiative, which provides free food via public refrigerators placed around NYC to aid food insecure communities 24/7. Elena Besser, The Lineup See Story Learn more about Elena Besser of The Lineup, a NYC-based monthly dinner series that has pivoted to support the restaurant industry by highlighting chefs and cooks who lost their income due to Covid-19. Zarith Pineda, Territorial Empathy See Story Learn more about Zarith Pineda of Territorial Empathy, a NYC-based, volunteer-driven design lab that is addressing pressing urban issues and advocating for vulnerable populations both in NYC and around the world. Crystal and Julia, Shower Power See Story Learn more about Julia Chambers and Crystal Adams of Shower Power, a nonprofit bringing hygiene kits and mobile showers to New Yorkers who lack regular access to hygiene resources. Hannah Goldberg, Tanabel Table See Story Learn more about Hannah Goldberg, founder of Tanabel Table, a NYC-based food and events company working with talented refugee chefs that pivoted to preparing meals and delivering groceries for New Yorkers in need. Kaylin Marcotte, Jiggy Puzzles See Story Learn more about Kaylin Marcotte, founder of Jiggy Puzzles, a NYC-based puzzle manufacturer that works with emerging artists to transform original, one-of-a-kind artwork into one of the year’s most sought-after quarantine activities. Jade Atkins, Pass the Spatula See Story Learn more about Jade Atkins, Editor-in-Chief of Food and Finance High School's student-run culinary magazine Pass the Spatula. When students could no longer pursue culinary studies in person, they pivoted to create a magazine highlighting NYC chefs of color. Ying Zhao, Tech Incubator at Queens College See Story Learn more about Dr. Ying Zhao, Executive Director of Queens Tech Incubator, a co-working space and business incubator that has created numerous virtual offerings to serve the diverse entrepreneurial community in Queens. Tea Ingram, The Bronx Collab See Story Learn more about Tea Ingram, a nonprofit coach and co-owner of The Bronx Collab, an affordable, women-led co-working space that has extended its mission by supporting BX's food insecure community and incarcerated New Yorkers. Rinat Aruh, Aruliden See Story Learn more about Rinat Aruh, the leader of the creative masterminds behind #AllInNYC, a pro bono campaign to remind viewers what they love and miss about the five boroughs.
Zanade Mann, The Black Women's Business Collective See Story Learn more about Zanade, Founder of The Black Women's Business Collective, which provides free business development resources to 400+ women-owned businesses in her underserved community.
Anjali Kumar, COVID Tech Connect See Story Learn more about Anjali, who partnered with five other female tech leaders to launch COVID Tech Connect—a project dedicated to getting smart devices into medical facilities nationwide so COVID-19 patients can connect with their loved ones.
Kim Calichio, The Connected Chef See Story Learn more about professional chef and founder of The Connected Chef Kim Calichio, who quickly pivoted from cooking classes to feeding her neighbors through community donations. Jerelyn Rodriguez, The Knowledge House See Story Learn more about Jerelyn, co-founder of a Bronx-based tech training and workforce development hub that has pivoted to offer virtual trainings, upskilling and paid summer internships. Esther Robinson, ArtBuild See Story Learn more about Esther, who mobilized her organization's membership of creatives and artists to help pack and deliver groceries to 650 Brooklyn families every week. Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya See Story Learn more about Amanda, NYCCHR's newest Artist-in-Residence, who launched a citywide art campaign to showcase the strength and resilience of the Asian-American community. Cate Luzio, Luminary See Story Learn more about Cate, Founder & CEO of Luminary, a NYC-based collaboration hub for women professionals. Cate and her team shifted hundreds of professional development programs online and created a fellowship to offer them to 400+ women-owned businesses for free. Arielle Kandel, New Women New Yorkers See Story Learn more about Arielle, Founder and CEO of New Women New Yorkers, which is helping immigrant women succeed in entering—or re-entering—the new job market during Covid-19. Stephanie Alvarado, Freelancers Hub See Story Learn more about Stephanie, Director of Programs at the Freelancers Hub in NYC, and her work helping gig workers and freelancers thrive amidst a global pandemic. Michal Prevor, Babka Bailout See Story Learn more about Michal, who launched a homegrown baking fundraiser to help support her house cleaner when Covid-19 left her unable to pay rent. Ceyenne Doroshow, G.L.I.T.S See Story Learn more about Ceyenne, Founder and Executive Director of LGBTQ+ advocacy org G.L.I.T.S. Ceyenne recently opened NYC's first Black trans-owned housing complex for homeless LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.

Starting this month, women.nyc will be featuring their stories on our social platforms – and we’d love your help.

If you’ve been inspired by a NYC woman who’s responding to the Covid crisis with a spirit of innovation and generosity, please share her information in the form below, and we’ll get in touch. (Don’t worry – we won’t feature anyone without her permission.) Think your own work deserves recognition? Don’t be shy – women.nyc wants to hear about all the great things you’re doing to help our city.

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