Marcela Contreras

Marcela Contreras Ortiz started with Herstory as a Long Beach High School student in 11th grade, writing about her immigration status. She trained as a facilitator in 2019 with field placements at Hempstead HS working with immigrant and Life Skills students, as well as at Long Beach High school and Stony Brook University during the pandemic. Marcela solidified her place with Herstory during the Summer 2023 Youth Writing for Justice program as a facilitator working with Middle School newcomers at Uniondale. She has the unique ability to connect with students, as she experienced the life-changing effect of Herstory's work firsthand.