Dane County Immigration Affairs Supervisor Fabiola Hamdan was honored with the Women United Philanthropy Award at United Way’s virtual Women United Breakfast, which took place on Wednesday, September 30, according to a United Way press release.
This prestigious award celebrates and acknowledges a woman who is committed to helping make our community a better place to live, for all. The award also honors a woman’s achievements in educating, empowering and inspiring women and young girls to be philanthropic leaders in Dane County.
Hamdan immigrated to the U.S. with her family from Bolivia when she was just a teenager. Since then, she’s focused her life’s work on being a leader and advocate for children and families in the Latinx community and beyond. She is a bilingual, bi-cultural senior social worker with the Dane County Department of Human Services, and is the first Immigration Affairs Supervisor in the County.
She joined United Way’s Board of Directors in 2017, is a member of the Executive Committee, serves on the Vision Council and was previously the Chair of the Education Community Solutions Team. She has been actively involved in United Way’s Born Learning work since 2007, which focuses on ensuring children are cared for and have fun as they become prepared for school.
“In addition to her passion for education, Faby has served on United Way delegations supporting family well-being. A group of Latinx community leaders, with Fabiola as a driving force, was responsible for Cuéntame and Cuéntame Más – hosting listening sessions, conducting research and creating reports that were crucial in shaping investments. She is also one of the founders of ‘El Día de Los Niños,’ an annual event to increase awareness about child safety and parenting in Dane County,” the statement says.
A recording of the event is available online at http://www.bitly.com/programwub.
“We value Faby’s brilliance immensely,” United Way President and CEO Renee Moe said in a statement. “For almost twenty years, United Way of Dane County has been made stronger because of the expertise, lived experience and passion for social and economic equality she has brought to her volunteer work with us. She is a pillar in our community, and we’re so thrilled to be honoring her.”
“I would like to thank United Way and Women United for this great honor,” Hamdan said in a statement. “I am humbled to receive this prestigious recognition. And I am so very fortunate to have the daily opportunity to help people who are very vulnerable. Now more than ever, it is imperative for us to be there for those in need. And I’m proud to work with United Way and Women United, who are dedicated to fighting for these families in Dane County.”
