Our September Shero of the Month is Aryah Lester of Washington, District of Columbia. Her story is truly one of inspiration having faced many obstacles and still overcoming them. She said, “The first time I truly learned about privilege was after my transition. I never knew there existed so many bottom rungs to standard society before living as a black woman of transgender experience. I was staying at a youth shelter in Manhattan when I first transitioned, and I experienced homelessness twice after that. That time in my life taught me how to push through struggle, gain street smarts, and gain skills in areas such as sex work which I still utilize to this day. Although my life is exceedingly blessed now, I cannot forget where I’ve been and how it has positioned me.”Aryah’s work is more than advocating for community. It includes education for other groups as well. She has provided training and education to a host of organizations. When asked why she felt it was important to do these particular type of training sessions, she said, “At many of my trainings around the country, I encounter participants who have never received the chance to ask the awkward questions, or hear real-life experiences so unlike, and also similar to, their own. Stereotypes and prejudices are symptoms of closed-system learning in homes, and education is the remedy to enact change in individuals. Once a person has some understanding and clarity, the world becomes just a bit more gentler.”
Aryah is currently the deputy director of Transgender Strategy Center. She said, “The Transgender Strategy Center emerged from a national need to elevate transgender and gender nonconforming professionals, with foci on economic equity and racial/gender justice. We started with a small group of amazing leaders in order to assist trans-led organizations in capacity building and technical assistance, as well as training funders and organizations who service us with our talented core faculty members. It is quite gratifying to co-lead an organization that encapsulates all of my skills, as well as all of the issues that are at the core of the obstacles we face daily.”
Congratulations Aryah! We look forward to continuing the work with you.