Women’s History Month Staff Spotlight: Adella Ryan

Women's History Month happens every March. Here at United South End Settlements, we honor the work and contributions of women past and present every day. This week, we're featuring a few women who work tirelessly at USES as we aim to disrupt the cycle of poverty for children and their families. Keep on reading to hear about one of our staff members, Adella Ryan.

Adella Ryan, Technology Jobs Skills Instructor at USES

Hometown:
Beautiful Saint Michaels, Barbados WI

Tell us about what you enjoy most about the work you’re doing and why it’s important.
As a former Social Worker and a current Microsoft Office Specialist who has achieved Certification as a Microsoft Certified Educator, teaching is a passion that comes very natural to me. That passion and commitment to students’ success, personal and professional goals are unwavering. I enjoy supporting low-income families and students of various socioeconomic backgrounds as they face their fears of technology and help them gain confidence and acquire skills necessary to become self-directed learner in the 21st century.

How does Women’s History Month connect to your work at USES?
Women’s History Month connects to my work here at USES because women make up about 90% of the training for Office Jobs Class and as a leader both by example and effective teaching methods, my drive and implementation skills help connects the growth and advancement of our female students to make a positive difference in their lives.

Why is Women’s History important to you?
Women have played a huge role in the development of computer technology, from English mathematician Ada Lovelace—now recognized as the first computer programmer—to the many brilliant women who work in tech today— but too often, that's a part of history that people don't know.  For decades the women who pioneered the computer revolution were often overlooked, as a dedicated, hard-working and compassionate professional, I want to continue supporting female students of vulnerable populations by influence their digital world.