[Video] Dispelling Myths, Increasing Access: Examining Common Fears and Barriers Experienced by Spanish-Speaking Immigrants Applying for SNAP Benefits in Maryland

Maryam Taysir graduated from Rhodes College with a major in Business Management and a minor in Jewish, Islamic, & Middle East Studies, but her biggest accomplishment is being the eldest sister of five siblings. Maryam was the community service chair for 901 Ummah, a nonprofit organization that fosters a productive Muslim community that reaches across the city of Memphis to inspire, create, and empower. She manages ‘Feed the City’, a program that aims to eliminate food insecurity in downtown Memphis by providing hot, nutritious, and multicultural meals to those in need. She is the co-founder and president of the campus organization, Students for Justice in Palestine, which stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle for self-determination, justice, and equality through educational programming. She was also a mentor for the Multicultural Vision Program (MVP) at Rhodes as well as a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion intern at Autozone, Inc.

Isabella is a first-generation American from Hartford, Connecticut. She recently graduated summa cum laude from Trinity College in May 2022, double-majoring with honors in Political Science and Human Rights Studies. During undergrad, Isabella interned and participated in various organizations and programs in the field of public interest including the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Connecticut General Assembly, and the Public Policy and International Affairs Program. Her personal and professional experiences have culminated into a passion for advocacy, especially for marginalized communities like her own.