Amanda Septimo is a lifelong Bronx resident with a long, rich history of service to the community. Her spirit of activism and community leadership began in her adolescence and can be traced through the entirety of her career. At just 12 years old, Amanda became aware of the prevailing social, economic, and environmental injustices within our community, and soon began to organize around these causes throughout the South Bronx. While still in her teens, Amanda began working with The Point Community Development Corporation in its teen activist program, A.C.T.I.O.N. It was during this time that Amanda was able to gain the fine-tuned understanding of what advocacy means for people in The Bronx. In these same years, Amanda volunteered with various local and international groups, including the New York City Parks Department. While volunteering with the International YMCA, Amanda traveled to West Africa and helped plant more than 300 various fruit juice trees. These public service efforts would gain Amanda the recognition of Community Board 2 and the New York Yankees, who awarded her the 2005 Youth Leadership Award. Amanda went on to receive the prestigious Posse Scholarship, which earned her a full-tuition scholarship to Vanderbilt University. Throughout her college years, Amanda served as an intern with the Legal Aid Society and volunteered with the Metro Public Defenders. After her years at Vanderbilt, Amanda went on to work with Congressman Jose E. Serrano as a Community Liaison, before being promoted to District Director at 23 years old. Amanda went on to work with the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) to ensure that school leaders and students have the resources they need to transform every school into a thriving learning environment. After working with CSA, Amanda Septimo ran for State Assembly in the 84th Assembly District and won the seat. Today, Amanda Septimo continues the fight to bring true equity in the South Bronx.
