Empowering Others Through Education, Advocacy, and Storytelling

Gabriela Sarahi Martinez Rodriguez (Mexico, UWC Mostar, Barnard College ’28) has built a record of empowering others through education and storytelling. An Economics-Statistics and Education double major, she co-founded Tonacalli with fellow Mexican UWC Mostar graduate Alejandra Montero to amplify the voices of survivors of gender-based violence.

With support from the GoMakeADifference grant, what began as a conversation between two friends evolved into two ongoing initiatives: a prevention and awareness campaign in Mexico for high school students, and a YouTube series featuring the work and stories of survivor-activists, developed with support from Sanctuary for Families to lay the groundwork for a future documentary. 

“Through Tonacalli, I’m reminded that storytelling is one of the most powerful forms of collective healing,” Gabriela reflects.

That commitment to empowerment extends to campus. As a participant in the Financial Well-Being Certificate program at the Francine LeFrak Center, Gabriela quickly advanced to Financial Ambassador. After obtaining financial instructor certification, she co-designed a financial fluency course for international students to ease their transition to Barnard.

Gabriela has also worked with Latinas on the Verge of Excellence (L.O.V.E.), helping design a new program to empower Latinas in STEM. These experiences have deepened her conviction that access to education and resources can transform lives and challenge systemic barriers.

This profile is part of the “Undergraduates in Action” series from the 2026 Annual Report