MELISA LAELAN
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARKANSAS COALITION OF MARSHALLESE (ACOM) Melisa Laelan was born and raised in the Marshall Islands. At age 16, she graduated top of her high school in the islands. A year later she enlisted in the United States Armed Forces. While in the Army, she was offered the opportunity to serve as a logistic specialist within various units throughout the United States and abroad including Asia and Europe. It was then that she acquainted with people from different cultures and became more appreciative of the diversity she experienced. After 10 years in the service, she moved to Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas in 2004 and study international relations. Because of her prior service with the Armed Forces, she was able to obtain her citizenship, and in 2011, she became a U.S. citizen. In 2011, along with other Marshallese leaders, Melisa founded Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese (ACOM), and in 2015, ACOM received its nonprofit status, making it the first organization founded and directed by native Marshall Islanders. As the executive director of ACOM, she has become a resource contact in both Marshallese and non-Marshallese communities.
What changes have you seen within your workplace in regard to empowering women? I came from a culture that has a matrilineal society, but there are certain things that women are prohibited to do. Our ancestral women had the power to put a warfare to cease, speak to the power of our roles. Nowadays, women have little political power. So, I grew up in a world that I was already assigned a role. I think the training that I received in the military prepared me to get my mentality out of the gender inequality because it trained me and constantly told me that I was as good as anyone else.
When did you know what you wanted to do? At an early age, I had always dreamed to thrive at being independent. We call it kajironron in my native language. All of that came from seeing struggles in my own families and where I grew up. I knew I was quite different from siblings and cousins and I wanted something different - not necessarily a good thing.
Best part of your job: I enjoy every aspect of my job, especially the responsibility of looking at ways that the Marshallese community can grow while maintaining their identity. It is okay to function in a new world and be able to adapt and never forget where you came from. Before running a new program, I always ask, “How do I bring a program that's meaningful to the people? Is it going to work and what level of effectiveness will it have?� Serving the community is what drives me, and as long as I have this job I will do that. I love being creative, and I am always thankful for all the partnerships that we have with different organizations and agencies. I learn so much every day through my job, and I know I have a lot of learning to do. I am touched when a community member reveals to us that the work that ACOM did saved her from losing her home or a family telling us that they were able to buy a home.
First big break: When I became the first Marshallese Certified Interpreter in the nation.
Quality you admire most in women: Women are silent powerful machines, and we get things done. Women are multitaskers. I admire the fact that we can be the nurturer, thinker, shaker and remain a strong force.