Women’s History Month: A Spotlight on Women at NYCHA

This year’s National Women’s History theme, “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless and vital work of caregivers and front-line workers (especially during a pandemic) as well as a recognition of the countless ways that women have provided healing and hope throughout history.

We’d like to honor the contributions to our organization and service to residents of the women at NYCHA by highlighting three teams that consist mainly of female employees: the Quality Assurance Unit, the Family Partnerships Department’s social workers, and the Woodside Houses supervisory team.

Jannine Johnson Mastria, Field Inspector with the Quality Assurance Unit:

“Every day we go out to work and check the roofs and the basement; we answer calls and check the work that has been done in apartments. But in order to be a good NYCHA employee, the first thing I can do is go there and be kind to residents. I talk to them, I am nice to them and make them comfortable, so I can understand what needs to be corrected and how I can help.”

Maria Novikova, Quality Assurance Specialist with the Quality Assurance Unit:

“I was a public housing resident before I started to work for NYCHA and I understand residents’ frustration very well. This is why it is very important to me to help residents get the necessary repairs done in a timely manner. One of the last complaints that I worked on was regarding excessive heat in an apartment. I was able to find the right people to fix this problem by the end of the day. Residents really appreciate the help, and it feels good to see the actual results of our unit’s work.”

Doretha Ford, Housing Manager with the Quality Assurance Unit:

“I supervise the Quality Assurance (QA) Unit, which consists of 12 QA inspectors. We do inspections and check if vendors, caretakers, and skilled trades workers have done their jobs correctly. The best part of my job is when a resident calls and says, ‘We know we called when we had a complaint, but now we are calling to say thank you.’”

Wendy Tomlin, Quality Assurance Specialist with the Quality Assurance Unit:

“Every day I try my best to help residents get the repairs they need. Some of them are really thankful. Recently, I helped a resident get a new refrigerator, and that made me extremely happy. That’s the best feeling for me. That’s how I know this job is where I need to be.”

Latonya Grimes, Assistant Property Manager at Woodside Houses:

“I have been at NYCHA for 24 years. Since July 2021, I am at Woodside Houses. Our team is predominantly women. We are all family-oriented and we are working hard to provide a healthy place to live. During the pandemic, we stayed open for the community because a lot of residents didn’t have any other place to go – we were the only resource for them.”

Elizabeth Diaz, Superintendent at Woodside Houses:

“I want to make sure I provide excellent customer service to all residents. I don’t want any of my customers to feel forgotten. Seeing residents’ smiles and hearing the ‘thank you’ is the most rewarding feeling. I even call residents on my drive home just so they know that I didn’t forget them if I didn’t call them throughout the day. I need them to believe in us and our work to serve.”

Karen Young, Social Worker with the Family Partnerships Department:

“In our job, we deal with a lot of single moms with limited resources. Sometimes residents don’t have a voice, and when they have an opportunity to talk to me, I just let them vent. I help them embrace their voice and concerns. Since the pandemic started, people have needed more socialization and empathy.”

Magalie Joseph, Social Worker with the Family Partnerships Department:

“I am always listening and paying attention to what residents want. It’s very emotional nowadays. We are very attentive, especially with the senior population. In our department, we work as a team. We are very supportive of each other, and that helps provide better service to our residents.”

Ruth Freeman, Social Worker with the Family Partnerships Department:

“March is not only Women’s History Month but also Social Work Month. I have been working as a social worker for the City of New York for 11 years. I provide crisis intervention. When residents are in a perceived crisis, we go out and offer resources and comfort. In the last two years, people have needed healing in a larger spectrum, and we are sensitive to that when we visit residents. They may be overwhelmed, but we are here to help. The most rewarding moment is when there is a resident who feels like no one cares, and then we show up and connect them with resources and family. I know that the gift that I have is a gift of helping.”