Garden of Dreams Young People Get In the Ring with Amanda Serrano
This March, Garden of Dreams rang in Women’s History Month in the ring.
Young women from foundation partner SCO Family of Services were invited to the media workout for Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano, one of the world’s top female boxers. The youth and Amanda shared at least one big commonality: they all grew up in Brooklyn, and that’s exactly where the workout took place.
The young people arrived at a local Brooklyn gym where they had front row seats to watch Amanda practice in the ring. Following the workout, Amanda and her team spoke to the young women, provided motivation, and answered their questions. A close friend of Amanda’s, fellow Brooklyn native, and actor Rosie Perez, also shared remarks on the power of resilience and women’s empowerment.
For one member of the Garden of Dreams community in attendance, it was an especially memorable day. Jamiyah, a 15-year-old high school student, is an aspiring boxer herself. She received an epic surprise when Amanda invited her into the ring and doled out professional coaching tips (and a good amount of praise!) as they sparred.
To bring the experience full circle, the same young people were present at Madison Square Garden when Amanda fought Katy Taylor in a title fight. Although Amanda fell short of the World Champion belt that evening, both fighters made history as the first women boxers to headline (and sell out!) Madison Square Garden. Congratulations to Amanda on all her accomplishments, both inside and outside the ring!
