Yamili Pineda arrived in New York from Venezuela seven years ago, looking to rebuild her life. After a year of work, she met an American man during the pandemic, who quickly proposed to her and took her to live on the outskirts of the city. At first she was excited, hoping to find a companion and a safe home. But she soon discovered that the relationship was abusive: her husband mistreated her, isolated her, made fun of her English, and prevented her from making decisions about her own life. Day by day, his freedom was reduced, and the security he had sought was fading.
Desperate, Yamili sought support from Safe Woman, Karina Novoa’s initiative, dedicated to the empowerment and safety of women, especially within immigrant communities. With the workshops, Yamili learned something fundamental: saying “no.”
“It was very difficult for me. It was a way to please others, but that is no longer part of my life. Now I am authentic and I do what helps me, not just others,” she explains. Today, Yamili runs her own coffee and snack business and walks around the city with confidence and security.
For Karina Novoa, founder of Safe Woman and former police captain in Chile, stories like Yamili’s are the driving force behind her work. Originally from Santiago, Karina came to New York five years ago in search of personal and professional reinvention. Their goal was to create a comprehensive approach to safety that combined self-defense, personal development and digital tools, with special attention to immigrant women who face cultural and legal barriers.
“For 15 years I was in an institution dominated by men. That taught me female leadership and gave me empathy for other women. In addition, assisting women who had suffered different types of violence gave me the strength to move forward and debunk myths: prejudices for being a woman, especially in Latin culture, still exist,” says Karina.
At Safe Woman, Karina teaches self-defense workshops, but clarifies that safety is not limited to the physical. “Security goes further: it involves self-confidence, digital tools and knowing the resources and organizations that support us. We are not alone in New York,” she explains. Her workshops include prevention strategies, effective communication, self-esteem and digital education for women entrepreneurs, helping them create their personal brand and advance economically.
Karina also collaborates with VIP Violence Intervention Program of VIP Mujeres, an organization in Queens that supports. “With VIP Mujeres I have worked with women who have suffered violence before and after arriving in the United States. Many lose confidence and security, and our focus is to help them get ahead: strengthen their self-esteem, open their own business and learn digital tools to advance. I do it voluntarily because there is nothing that pays me more than helping other women,” she says.
As a black belt in judo and the first female self-defense instructor in the Chilean police, Karina breaks another myth: that self-defense requires physical strength. “It’s not about hitting like in Hollywood. It’s about being strategic, using voice, environment and intelligence. We can get out of a dangerous situation without physical confrontation and stay safe,” she says. Their workshops teach how to act even when afraid, trust your instincts, and prioritize safety over courtesy or complacency.
The impact on the participants
Many women find in Safe Woman a safe space to rebuild themselves. Yalentai Grace, a Queens resident and survivor of domestic violence, shares how the workshops have helped her: “After everything you go through, you become more fearful of your surroundings. But these workshops have given me security and peace of mind, at least to make decisions in uncomfortable moments. I am also learning about how to develop my business and personal growth, and that has given me a lot of confidence. It reminds me of who I am, because after living with someone narcissistic you lose all security. It gives me joy to take a workshop with Karina.”
Safe Woman combines self-defense, personal development and digital literacy, offering a comprehensive approach for women seeking to rebuild their lives after traumatic experiences. Karina emphasizes: “Safety is integral. It is not only about learning a defense movement, but also about trust, mutual support and tools to make your way in New York. We want all Latinas to be able to put their name up high here.”
Today, Yamili and Yalentai walk safely and confidently through the city. After experiencing isolation and abuse, they found in Safe Woman the refuge and tools to recover their voice, autonomy and life. Thanks to self-defense, personal development and digital literacy workshops, they have rebuilt their paths and move forward with resilience, demonstrating that it is possible to move forward even after traumatic experiences.
To learn more about Safe Woman or participate in its workshops, women can follow the initiative on Instagram @safewoman_nyc.
