Saidy Herrera Orellana » Directory of award recipients

Biographical Info

Saidy H. Orellana, right, 2019 awardee. Presented by Alejandra Muller, president of the UN Association of OKC.

Award ceremony introduction as made by Bill Bryant of United Nations Association of OKC:

Our next winner is a documentary filmmaker, a pastor, and an advocate for immigrant rights.

Saidy Orellana’s life story is an inspiration not only to other immigrants from Guatemala but to all Americans because she exemplifies the transformative power of education combined with her vision to bring about change.

In Saidy’s 2019 documentary Kites and Dreams, she begins with the brutal facts of the 36-year-long Civil War in Guatemala. The documentary presents some of the reasons behind the exodus from Guatemala and El Salvador; images of what these families left behind; the new challenges once they start attending the school system in the United States, and the advice from professionals in the education system on how to approach this subject.

In her documentary, Saidy shares her own story because it reflects what so many Central American families experience in terms of family separation, vulnerability, and food insecurity.

Saidy was born during the war and during a major earthquake. At the age of 3, her father had to leave the family to seek political asylum in the United States. Eventually, Saidy came to the United States, as well. It has been 26 years since Saidy arrived in the States and she is now a naturalized citizen….

Saidy advocates for immigrants and refugees, educating the rest of us about what it means to be an immigrant, and what is being done to help them improve their lives in the United States.

Here is Article 14 of the Universal Declaration:

“Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.”

Nomination entry:

Saidy Orellana’s life story is an inspiration not only to other immigrants from Guatemala but to all Americans because she exemplifies the transformative power of education combined with her vision to bring about change.

In Saidy’s 2019 documentary Kites and Dreams, she begins with the brutal facts of the 36-year-long Civil War in Guatemala. The documentary presents some of the reasons behind the exodus from Guatemala and El Salvador; images of what these families left behind; the new challenges once they start attending the school system in the United States, and the advice from professionals in the education system on how to approach this subject.

In her documentary, Saidy shares her own story because it reflects what so many Central American families experience in terms of family separation, vulnerability, and food insecurity.

Saidy was born during the war and during a major earthquake. At the age of 3, her father had to leave the family to seek political asylum in the United States. While raising her family as a single mom, Saidy’s mother was harassed by a police officer causing her to flee. A foster family was took care of Saidy until her mother was able to return. Then when Saidy was 16, her father returned to Guatemala with immigration papers enabling him to bring her to the United States. It has been 26 years since Saidy arrived in the States and she is now a naturalized citizen. We need to return to her teenage years.

Saidy married Otto Orellana and she became a teen mom at the age of 17. It was not until many years later after the birth of her third child that she decided to return to her education. She achieved her High School Diploma and a Technical Career at the age of 28. It was during her resulting job at a financial institution that Saidy became aware of the considerable needs of her community. She wanted to make a difference in their lives.  Saidy pursued religious education and in 2008, she co-founded Iglesia Pueblo de Dios with her husband Pastor Orellana. It is a non-profit Hispanic church serving hundreds in their congregation.

At the age of 37, Saidy realized that there were smarter ways to effect change. She began with an Associate in Business degree at the Oklahoma Community College and transferred to the University of Oklahoma to complete a Bachelor’s in Business Administration focused on Supply Chain Management with a minor in Nonprofit Organizational Studies.

Saidy’s outreach extends beyond her church community to local and state initiatives. She was active in the JCPenney Leadership Program in the College of Business and the Hispanic Foundation Scholar Program. In 2018, the Mayor appointed her as a member to the City of Norman Citizens Financial Oversight Board. Saidy participated in the American Women in Politics Leadership Class of 2019.

At conferences, Saidy advocates for immigrants and refugees, educating the rest of us about what it means to be an immigrant and what is being done to help them improve their lives in the United States.

How does the nominee support human rights in Oklahoma?

I met Saidy Orellana while attending Latinas WIN (Women In Norman) a local organization dedicated to helping Hispanic families. Our recent project involved bringing our two churches together (St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church and Iglesia Pueblo de Dios) to share a potluck dinner and program to raise money to purchase clothes for Head Start children.

Her children and youth performed for our congregation. The youngest children performed Little Lambs complete with costumes and portable set pieces, and the youth, directed by Saidy, performed a folkloric dance from El Salvador. Their proud parents were in our audience.

All the nationalities in Pueblo de Dios are respected. The children are given cultural experiences from their home countries while members are encouraged to further their education from within the church. A network of volunteers teaches classes in ESL, reading, and GED preparation.

I return to Kites and Dreams, in it Saidy goes to talk to middle school students in Guatemala. In her own words:“The kids in the video were middle school age children, the age when they consider about immigrating to the US; I was motivating them to stay positive and to continue their education in their hometown.”

Saidy’s wisdom in going to these young people shows that she not only serves those families in her care but she advises potential immigrants who may not understand the consequences of their decisions.

Saidy Orellana truly exemplifies “The American Dream” in her advanced education and the tireless service she provides locally and abroad. Saidy is already a global leader for human rights. She is worthy of this meaningful award and if she receives it she will contribute to the ideas and efforts of fellow recipients. She has certainly enriched my life.