Annissa Essaibi George will chair this year’s New England Women’s Leadership Awards (NEWLA) event, which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester (BGCD). The program will be held on Tuesday evening, May 13, at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. Honorees will be announced this month.

Essaibi George, former president and CEO of Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, a mom, a former Boston Public Schools teacher, and an At-large Boston City Councillor is the owner of Stitch House Dorchester.  She is a first generation American and lifelong Boston resident.  

Her fathyer, Ezzeddine, immigrated to the United States from Tunisia in 1972 and her mom, Barbara, was born in a Displaced Persons’ camp in Germany to Polish parents and came to the US in the early 1950s. Her parents met, married, and made their home in Dorchester, where they raised Annissa, her brother, and two sisters. Like her siblings, she is a proud BGCD alum. Her favorite memories included playing low hoop basketball at the Club and attending sewing classes.

“It’s truly a full-circle moment for me,” she said. “I keep thinking about what my 7-year-old self would say if she knew that many years later, she would be invited to play a major role in an organization that has meant so much to our family. I am honored to be this year’s NEWLA chair.”

“Annissa has championed the passion and power of girls to succeed for the better part of her career,” noted Bob Scannell, president & CEO of BGCD. “Her commitment to helping girls succeed through mentorship and enrichment programs that support their growth and development perfectly aligns with NEWLA’s mission.”

She and her husband Doug are the proud parents of four boys: Douglas, and triplets Charlie, Kayden, and Samir.