Isang Pagpupugay: A Tribute to Outgoing Damayan Executive Director Linda Oalican
Last Saturday, February 25th was one of the most memorable, if not heartfelt, events in Damayan’s history. Celebrating “Isang Pagpupugay: A Tribute to Outgoing Damayan Executive Director Linda Oalican” at The People’s Forum, Manhattan, the Filipino community all came together to pay tribute to Linda Oalican, who has stepped down as Damayan’s Executive Director after leading Damayan for two decades.
Damayan members, labor trafficking and wage theft survivors and their families, current and past Board members, allies and New York State Assemblymember Steve Raga, all came to bring their thanks and their stories of shared struggle with Linda and Damayan. Each story told the story of Linda as a significant figure in the movement with her commitment and tenacity in building the power of Filipino domestic workers to empower them to fight for their rights, justice and dignity as domestic workers, migrant workers and labor trafficking survivors.
“I learned how to be an activist from Linda. I learned from the movement here. Filipinos are a part of a legacy of struggle and Linda is a direct connection to that history. She is unapologetically pro-worker and anti-imperialist.” - Leah Obias, former Damayan staff and Board member and campaign coordinator for “Baklas: Break Free from Labor Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery”. Leah is the current Director of Policy & Strategy, Race Forward
“I have always been inspired by her fearless nature…she speaks from the heart and practical experience. She is a role model and a fierce leader, as an immigrant and a person of color.” - Narbada Chhetri, Director of Organizing and Programs, Adhikaar
“She has also modeled to me what a good human being is–that is, to be in service of others.” - Riya Ortiz, current Executive Director, Damayan
“There are men and women who struggle for a day and they are good. There are men and women who struggle for a year and they are better. There are men and women who struggle many years, and they are better still. But there are those who struggle all their lives. These are the indispensable ones.” - Karina Garcia, Damayan Board Chair quoted Bertolt Brecht in her tribute to Linda
As Damayan’s executive director, Linda was relentless in organizing the Filipino migrant workers, constantly instilling the value of collective leadership and looking beyond one’s self and of political education and political consciousness. As she and Damayan helped empower workers rise up from oppressive employment and trafficking situations, she helped equip them with the lens to see the system behind their situation, to never forget the homeland even as they traverse this new land. She worked tirelessly to secure funding for the important work that affects so many in the community, knowing full well that Damayan may be the only sanctuary for so many migrant workers on this foreign soil. Yet, Linda’s work is marked by her personal conviction to propel and push forward the movement at all times, beyond any personality or any personal agenda.
“In a movement, we don’t need heroes. Heroes undermine the movement…what we need are empowered and politically conscious workers fighting together in an organization, like Damayan.” - Linda, Co-Founder and Outgoing Executive Director, Damayan
As Damayan moves forward in its new chapter of leadership, it will bring the lessons and values cultivated by Linda. Your legacy and inspiration will continue to guide the work that Damayan will do, in service of the people and for the empowerment of survivors to become social justice leaders in the US and in the homeland. Thank you, Linda! Tuloy ang laban. The struggle continues!
#TributeToLinda #TributeParty #DamayanMigrantWorkers #DamayanMigrants #Damayan
HAPPENING NOW: Isang Pagpupugay: A Tribute to Outgoing Damayan Executive Director Linda Oalican at The People’s Forum, Manhattan. Workers, supporters, and fellow freedom-fighters come together to pay tribute to Damayan’s Co-Founder and Outgoing Executive Director, Linda Oalican who led Damayan for 20 years. Her legacy will continue to inspire Filipino migrant workers, the domestic worker movement, and the community. As we move forward with the journey that you have started, Damayan remains grateful to you, Nanay/Ate Linda! The fight continues! #TributeToLinda #TributeParty #DamayanMigrantWorkers #DamayanMigrants #Damayan