Meeting: Nov 8 - Monica Iken

SPEAKER: Monica Iken – Nov 8

Preserving the Memory of the WTC
Ms Iken is a Board Member of The National September 11 Memorial, Founder of September's Mission Foundation, and owner of the Iken Science Academy. Her topic will be “Life after 9/11- A Widow’s Actions.”
 

Monica Iken
Monica Iken is a native New Yorker and a former Board of Education certified teacher. She left education after losing her husband Michael in the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center, 9/11/2001. Shortly afterwards, Monica started September's Mission (a non profit), and began her mission to preserve the memory of the WTC by creating a memorial in honor of all those who were lost. She became an active advocate for the 9/11 families and worked with other groups to make this mission complete with the creation of the world class memorial and museum. Monica continues keeping September's Mission alive through events such as the Pope’s visit, art installations and anniversary celebrations.

Monica is a mother of two girls 8 & 10 and with her love of education she envisioned a school dedicated to the memory of Michael Iken. Her vision was to create something new and innovative with STEM as her focus. In 2015 Monica proudly opened the doors of the Iken Science Academy to inspire a love of learning and foster a love of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in all her students starting with preschool.

Founder of September's Mission Foundation - www.Septembersmission.org.
Through the Foundation she has worked on developing the former World Trade Center site through Private and Public Partnerships, She has provided assistance to those affected by natural and civil disasters (including acts of terror and war) and heightened awareness of the conditions caused by such disasters and the relief efforts needed to improve such conditions and prevent future disasters.

SMF has also been providing recreational and educational activities for children and other members of the New York City community or other communities affected by natural or civil disasters (including acts of terror or war), and has been providing support for and engaging in mindfulness and consciousness training and other education and training to support the well being of the New York City community and other communities, particularly children, senior citizens, and other vulnerable populations. They've also been providing support for educational initiatives regarding and relating to suffering around the world and efforts to relieve it.