More than 200 people attended the International Institute of New England’s inaugural WILLOW Fund Luncheon on Thursday to honor the resilience of women refugees and immigrants.

Nazia Jamal, an Afghan refugee, spoke at the luncheon about her harrowing journey. She taught women in Afghanistan but when the Taliban took over in 2021, she and the women she taught were in danger of imprisonment or death. Jamal fled, spending time in Pakistan before coming to the United States in 2024.

She said having the WILLOW Fund and the IINE for support have been instrumental in her adjustment to Boston.

“When you migrate from your country and you are trying to get used to a new place … holding such kinds of events and having such kinds of support [are like] a hand that can help you get up,” she said.

Jamal told GBH News that sharing her story makes her nervous, but she wants women with similar journeys to know they aren’t alone.

Another panelist at the luncheon, Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, spoke about her journey as the daughter of Haitian immigrants.

Growing up in Mattapan, she understood what it meant to be “each other’s keeper,” as her family would provide solace to others coming from Haiti. That background, she said, has guided her professionally and personally.

She urged that it’s important to embrace the qualities of immigrants and view their diversity as a strength.

“The fact that you speak a different language, that you come from a different background — those are assets for us,” Louijeune said. “The things that you’re afraid about like, ‘Well what if they’re nervous about my accent?’ Well, your accent is a superpower because it means you speak another language.”

Jeff Thielman, president and CEO of IINE, said their model is about helping families new to the United States settle into life here. That integration includes finding work to establish financial stability, a responsibility that he added often falls to the men.

“That leaves some of the women in the family not getting all the services they need,” Thielman said.

The WILLOW Fund was created in 2023 specifically to improve resettlement experiences for refugee women and girls.