Women’s History Month HERstory: Emma Levin from Independence Plaza

On July 4, 1979, Emma Levin, her husband Yakov, and two young daughters fled Odessa, Ukraine, USSR, and Soviet religious and political persecution with almost nothing.

They departed on a train to Vienna, not knowing if they could leave the country, or where they would end up. Today, The Levins reside in Tribeca, enjoying their retirement after living in Brooklyn for over 30 years.

Emma worked as an Electromechanical Engineer for 40 years before finding a second career as an Architectural Engineer for 10 years. Emma is involved in her community, volunteering at Greenwich House, DOROT (intergenerational programs), and with Reading Partners in NYC Public Schools.

She is one of the most active members at Independence Plaza Older Adult Center.

Emma’s grandchildren are living out the promise of American opportunity–one is a Marine, another is a lawyer at one of the country’s leading law firms and another is working in the tech sector.

Their success is a direct result of remarkable courage of Emma to emigrate from the USSR for a better life for her children and future generations. Emma’s love and gratitude for her adopted country are exceptional.