Submitted by YWCA Olympia
Empowering their community. Leading change. Standing up. Fighting for the rights of all. YWCA Olympia is pleased to announce their 2017 Business of Achievement: Seifert Law Offices.
Seifert Law Offices is an immigration & legal services firm based in Olympia. Since 1989, they have aided thousands of people from over 150 different countries successfully immigrate to the United States. Lisa Seifert is the principal attorney of Seifert Law Offices. According to Lisa, “I believe that everyone should have a chance. Our work takes time and patience to help people. We give it.”
Ms. Seifert is a Past President of the Washington Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and has served on regional and national committees to advance immigration policy and practice. She has testified in local courts as well as before the Washington State Legislature on immigration issues. She and her team have volunteered for immigrant assistance events such as AILA’s Citizenship Day, AILA’s Military Assistance Project, and support for Dreamers. She was also one of the “airport lawyers” deployed at airports to assist immigrants and families impacted by the president’s Muslim Travel Ban.
As her nominator said, “I have known Lisa for over 20+ years as she has been our family immigration lawyer. I personally met her while struggling to complete my US Citizenship application. Lisa was volunteering at a local Community College with people who need help with US Citizenship issues. I then became her client and after a year, due to the complexity of my immigration issues, I realized as a struggling college student, I could no longer afford her services. One day, she pulled me in the office and offered to donate her services. Which nearly three years later, we succeeded and I got my citizenship. That’s the kind of giving person she is. She is a very humble person yet a very powerful voice for those whose voices are often unheard.”
Seifert Law Offices was also selected as Business of Achievement for their employment practices including competitive wages, health insurance, a matched retirement account, flex scheduling, and assistance for job-related training including college coursework and conferences.
“I am proud of the work we do, what we represent, and who we are as a team. I know that Lisa, both as an individual and as an employer, values me as an individual and as an employee, and is appreciative of the work that I do. I feel that the work we do is important in so many ways, and it feels good to receive acknowledgment from the community recognizing this important work.”
When is the event?
The 24th Annual Women of Achievement Celebration will take place on Friday, November 10th at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts (512 Washington SE, Olympia).
Who is the special guest speaker?
Nikkita Oliver is a Seattle-based creative, teaching artist, and anti-racist organizer. Her writing has appeared in the South Seattle Emerald, Crosscut, and the Stranger. She holds a J.D. and Masters of Education from the University of Washington. She is a writer-in-residence with Writers in the Schools and the case manager for Creative Justice–an arts-based alternative to incarceration. She is the 2015 recipient of the Seattle Office of Civil Rights Artist Human Rights Leader Award, the Seattle Poetry Slam Grand Champion 2014, has been on and coached numerous national poetry slam teams at both the youth and adult levels. She opened for Cornel West and Chuck D of Public Enemy and performed on The Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert. She was also the keynote speaker at the 2017 Racial Justice Summit: Intent vs. Impact in May.
How much are tickets?
Tickets are $45 per person ($35 for seniors/military and $25 youth). Doors open for the main event at 6:00pm.
A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $125 per person and include a delicious catered pre-event reception in the Black Box Theatre at 5:30, a meet & greet with our special guest speaker and Honorees, music with the Lizzy & Tarik Duo and a main event ticket.
Where can guests obtain tickets?
Tickets information is available online at www.ywcaofolympia.org, under 2017 Women of Achievement tab. All proceeds benefit YWCA Olympia social, racial and gender justice programs.
Who is supporting Women of Achievement?
Once again Titus-Will has stepped up as the Women of Achievement Presenting Sponsor with WSECU as the Sustaining Sponsor and Olympia Federal Savings serving as Supporting Sponsor.
How can I support Honorees like Seifert Law Offices?
Sponsorships are a great way to support honorees and the mission of YWCA. Honoree sponsorships start at $1,000 and include several benefits, but also help pay for family tickets for the Honoree(s).
