Celebrating Women Who Empower the Future of Multilingual Education

At SEAL, we believe in the positive impact of multilingualism on student success. This March, we’re excited to celebrate women whose experiences with bilingualism have enriched their lives and contributed to a brighter future for multilingual learners.

‍Elevating Leadership and Multilingualism in Action

We are proud to highlight the stories of three inspiring women, who are also valued supporters of SEAL. Their journeys showcase how bilingual and bicultural experiences have shaped their personal and professional success in diverse fields. Through their voices, we honor the power of multilingualism to build bridges, foster connection, and empower future leaders.

Raising Bilingual Children: Julie's Story‍

Julie Castro Abrams, CEO, How Women Lead, SEAL Board Member

As someone who’s navigated raising bilingual children in environments that didn’t always see their bilingualism as an asset, Julie shared a story close to her heart. 

In college, she remembered hearing from professors that children who spoke two or more languages at home would experience slower language development. That outdated idea—long debunked—contradicted everything she had witnessed first hand. . 

Her kids thrived. They became fluent in both English and Spanish faster than many of their monolingual peers mastered just one. Yet, even with this success, they found themselves in school environments, where their bilingualism wasn’t celebrated or understood.

Julie has seen firsthand how being bilingual shaped her children’s futures. It has enriched their lives, strengthened their careers, and deepened their connections to diverse communities and cultures. And it’s not just her family — research confirms that multilingualism fosters empathy, cognitive growth, and creativity.

Embracing Multilingualism: Feliza's Journey

Feliza Ortiz-Lincon, Executive VP at The Campaign for College Opportunity, SEAL Board Member

Growing up multilingual in West Long Beach in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Feliza often felt the tension between her rich cultural heritage and societal norms that didn’t always see her bilingualism as a strength.

At home, her parents immersed the family in their Mexican culture. But outside, the narrative was different.

In school, being pulled out of class for Spanish instruction or struggling with grade-level reading sent mixed signals. Instead of being seen as an asset, her bilingualism was treated as something to overcome.

It wasn’t until later that Feliza began to see her multilingualism as a superpower—a bridge that connected her identity to academic and professional success. She decoded spelling tests in Spanish, navigated the world through her cultural lens, and found pride in her family’s commitment to preserving their language and traditions for generations.

Her story is a testament to the power of multiculturalism - not just as a skill but as a source of strength, resilience and belonging.

Embracing Identity: Christina’s Journey to Celebrating Multilingualism

Christina Bui, Manager Director, Robert Half Executive Search

When Christina arrived in the U.S. in 1975 after the fall of Saigon, she was a young immigrant from Vietnam, fluent in Vietnamese and French - but she didn’t speak English.

She vividly remembers the sting of being mocked for her accent,  language, and culture as one of the few Asian students in her school. Over time, she felt  ashamed of her multilingualism and did everything she could to hide it.

But her parents saw things differently. They encouraged her to embrace her identity,  founding a Vietnamese dance troupe, where she and others  proudly wore traditional costumes and celebrated their heritage.

Later, as a student at the University of Virginia, Christina took that celebration even further - launching cultural festivals to showcase the richness of international traditions. It was through these experiences that she she came to a powerful realization:

Multilingualism and multiculturalism are not barriers—they are incredible assets!

Her journey is a testament to the power of embracing identity, honoring heritage and recognizing that language is a bridge - not a limitation.

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