Uplifting the voices, journeys, and contributions of immigrant women

One in seven women in the U.S. today is an immigrant.

Whether they are shattering glass ceilings for women everywhere, like entrepreneur Arianna Huffington and PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, or showing us how to hold power to account, like Mary “Mother” Jones, the contributions of immigrant women are as diverse as they are ubiquitous.

Without Austria-born Hedy Lamarr (pictured), we wouldn’t have Wi-Fi technology. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross taught us how to grieve, and Dr. Ruth Westheimer taught us to enjoy life. If Elizabeth Stern hadn’t followed her dreams to another country, countless women would not have had access to her lifesaving cervical cancer screening innovations. And the world’s cultural luster would be profoundly diminished without the contributions of visionary expatriate artists, from Josephine Baker and Joni Mitchell to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Camila Cabello.

These women are all part of a deeply human narrative of arrival, integration, and renewal. For every household name, there are thousands more women working to uplift their communities, change lives, and create a better future. FirstGen advances the narrative of immigrant women by elevating these stories and celebrating the sacrifice, contribution, and courage it takes to embark on their journey to a new home.

Hedy Lamarr, Austrian immigrant, actress, film producer, and inventor who developed frequency-hopping technology that was instrumental to the invention of Wi-Fi.

FirstGen Programs

FirstGen uplifts immigrant women through storytelling that celebrates their contributions and programming that facilitates their pathways to success. The Beautiful Journey Series and a new partnership with Upwardly Global are FirstGen’s two flagship programs.

Beautiful Journey Series

Combining two of Alya Michelson’s deepest passions—uplifting immigrant women and journalism— Beautiful Journey offers a mix of written, podcast, and video interviews that focus on the lessons these brave, beautiful, generous women have learned while building lives in a new home.

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Upwardly Global Partnership

Alya Michelson partners with Upwardly Global, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating employment barriers for immigrant and refugee professionals, and advancing the inclusion of their skills into the U.S. economy, to launch their first Los Angeles-based cohort that will help place recently immigrated women into successful careers in the United States.

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Latest News

News

Championing Stories and Addressing Inequality: FirstGen Grants Support and Uplift Immigrant Women

To mark International Women’s Day 2023, FirstGen is honored to announce the recipients of its inaugural $25,000 FirstGen Spark Grant. The Foundation for California Community Colleges and the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers both advocate for women who identify as refugees, immigrants, and migrants by providing access to services they are often denied—the resources, support, and care that give these women the greatest chance to thrive in their new home.

Inner City Law Center Bestows Humanitarian Award Upon Alya and Dr. Gary K. Michelson

The social justice organization recognized the Michelsons’ support of unhoused people with pets, incarcerated individuals, and immigrants.

Alya Michelson’s FirstGen Program Announces New Spark Grants Program

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Michelson Philanthropies program FirstGen announces the launch of a new Spark Grants program to support immigrant women.

FirstGen and Upwardly Global’s Career Skills Program for Immigrant Women Exceeds Expectations

Enrollment in Upwardly Global’s Career Skills Program for immigrant women who now call Los Angeles home, launched last year with support from Alya Michelson’s FirstGen Initiative, nearly tripled above the initial target for the program, which is aimed at moving immigrant women from unemployment or low-skilled jobs to full employment.

A Mother’s Prayer for Her Slavic Family

The heart of Russia is not inside the Kremlin, writes Alya Michelson. Many Russians have roots in both Russia and Ukraine, speak both languages and embrace the deep cultural heritage of both countries.

And Just Like That… Another Tired Stereotype

The latest stereotype on the "Sex and the City" reboot denigrates Russian women when we should be lifting each other up, writes Alya Michelson.

The Most Read Stories of 2021: Looking Back on a Year Filled with Challenges and Hope

The Michelson Philanthropies network published more than 230 articles in 2021, far more than in years past. Articles that highlight where our work has had a direct impact were very popular among our readers this year. Here are the top 10 most read stories from each website publishing news and analysis on our websites. Reread your favorite pieces or read them for the first time.

Alya Michelson Traces Her Journey from a Journalist in Russia to a Musician in America on a Podcast by Jennifer Newsom’s Representation Project

Alya Michelson detailed her journey from being a female journalist in Russia’s male-dominated news industry to an immigrant and artist overcoming gender stereotypes in the United States during the Representation Project’s “Power Hour” podcast.

Alya Michelson Discusses Uplifting the Voices of Immigrant Women on SullivanSays Podcast

In this episode of “Making an Impact with Michelson Philanthropies,” Jerry Sullivan interviews Michelson Philanthropies co-chair Alya Michelson about the FirstGen Initiative’s efforts to reshape the narrative of immigrant women.

Upwardly Global Gala Celebrates the Contributions of Immigrants and Refugees

Upwardly Global, the nonprofit organization that recently partnered with Alya Michelson’s FirstGen Initiative to support a cohort of immigrant women as they rebuild their careers in a new country, held its annual gala recently to celebrate the contributions of immigrants and refugees.

Alya Michelson Launches ‘Beautiful Journey,’ a New Podcast About Immigrant Women

Michelson Philanthropies Co-Chair Alya Michelson interviewed Upwardly Global President and CEO Jina Krause-Vilmar for her inaugural podcast about immigrant women titled “Beautiful Journey.”

Career Skills Program Underway with Eight Immigrant Women Enrolled as Upwardly Global’s First All-Female Cohort

Since its inception in May, eight LA-based immigrant women have enrolled in Upwardly Global’s Career Skills program, sponsored by Michelson Philanthropies’ FirstGen Initiative.

Let them be heard. Telling the stories of America’s immigrant women.

Alya Michelson, co-chair of Michelson Philanthropies, was featured on ThriveGlobal, sharing her journey as a first-generation immigrant woman and announcing her new philanthropic initiative, FirstGen. “As an adopted American,” says Alya, “I believe that our country’s best future is one that celebrates and supports immigrants, especially women—artists, entrepreneurs, innovators, and trailblazers.”

Nurturing Success Stories for Immigrant and Refugee Women

Alya Michelson is partnering with Upwardly Global, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating employment barriers for immigrant and refugee professionals and advanceing the inclusion of their skills into the U.S. economy, to launch their first-ever all-female cohort in Southern California that will help place recently immigrated women into successful careers in the U.S.

Alya Michelson Releases ‘American Beauty’ Single Celebrating Immigrant Women

Alya Michelson is interviewed by Leah Adams of All Access to discuss the single “American Beauty,” produced by legendary Grammy, Emmy and Dove award-winning producer Bill Schnee. The original track earned nearly 500,000 Spotify streams, while the remix by Grammy-winning producer Dave Aude earned a place on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, reaching #16 after only two weeks.