On October 16, 2021, PBHA celebrated its annual Alumni Weekend, honoring Ethel Branch ‘01 with their Outstanding Alumnus Award. While at PBHA, Ethel had been involved in the Summer Urban Program's Native American Youth Enrichment Program (NAYEP). Ethel, an elected Director of Harvard Alumni Affairs, had also served as a Member of Kanji & Katzen in Arizona, where she advocated for Indigenous legal rights, and Attorney General of the Navajo Nation.

In her speech, Ethel highlighted her transformative journey from law to community-driven work, focusing on her efforts to provide COVID-19 relief to Native communities. She shared how her organization raised funds, including a $10 million donation from Mackenzie Scott, to support essential services and help local economies rebound. Beyond immediate relief efforts like providing food and PPE, Ethel spoke about the long-term work of restoring cultural practices, such as community gardening and re-establishing access to modern resources like technology and electricity. Acknowledging the challenges of navigating systemic barriers and limited resources, she emphasized the importance of community collaboration, trust, and adaptability in overcoming obstacles.

Ethel also reflected on how she came to embrace the idea that her path was shaped not by a fixed plan, but by seizing opportunities and staying open to what life presented. She encouraged the audience to stay curious, trust their instincts, and remember that the true measure of success is making a positive impact on people's lives. The overarching message of her speech was about faith in people and trust in the collective power of communities to create lasting change, especially when united by shared human needs and aspirations.

Learn more about NAYEP here.

Learn more about Ethel Branch here.

Listen to the full speech here.