Marleine Bastien Biography
Marleine Bastien is a graduate of Florida International University. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1987. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 1999. A Trained Paralegal, she is founder, former president, and Executive Director of Family Action Network Movement (FANM) , an important group that has provided desperately needed services not only to Haitian women and their families, but to the community at large. She is a Co-Founding member and twice past Chair of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Co-Founding and Vice-Chair of the Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition.
Founded in 1991, FANM was initially a volunteer led organization (1991-2001). FANM transitioned to a Community Based Organization in 2000, and it has now become a globally recognized entity offering lifesaving services –using best practices-- to low-income families in the domain of mental health, health access, adult literacy/computer training, parenting, after-school/summer programs , immigration advocacy/citizenship services, and community economic development. Under Marleine’s leadership, FANM has showed a unique ability to provide an array of services aimed at straightening families while organizing around issues of importance such as immigration, affordable housing, health access, education reform, gender equality, and human rights. She co-chaired the “Hard to Reach Population” census campaign with the late Jackson Memorial Hospital CEO Ira Clark in 1990, and again in 2000. Over the course of 31 years, Marleine has worked on many important campaigns including: Living Wage and Human Rights Ordinance (which she co-chaired with Mayor Alex Penelas), small class size, the Children’s Trust (treasurer and spoke-person for the Black Community with Congresswoman Carrie Meek), The Haitian Immigration Refugee Fairness Act of 1998 , Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the Dream Act, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, the fight for $15, women/workers rights, gender equity, and affordable housing.
A passionate and articulate spokesperson , she formed the "Justice Coalition for the Haitian Children of Guantanamo" and also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show to lend her expertise to a discussion of the devastating impact that prolonged detention at Guantanamo Bay had on Haitian children in 1995. She is also a founding member of the Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition, the Haitian Neighborhood Center (Sant La), the Center for Haitian Studies, The Florida Immigrant Coalition, The Haitian-American Historical Society, Jobs with Justice, The Girl Advocacy Program (GAP), among others. She served on the board of numerous organizations ( in most cases as a founding board member) including : HRS now DCF, Human Services Coalition now Catalyst Miami, Florida Immigrants Advocacy Center now Americans For Immigrant Justice, Kristi’s House, The Haitian-American Historical Society, Haitian-American Professional Coalition, Health Foundation of South Florida, and the North Miami Education Board, among others.
Marleine Bastien has been recognized with dozens honorable awards. We’ll name a few: The Green Family Leadership Award , ( 1996), Jackson Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month Award (1996), “In The Company of Women Award “(1998) , She was named in the Miami Herald in 1999 as one of the "Forty Special People To Watch in the Next Millennium, “Social Worker of the Year Award” , Miami-Dade County (2000) , the "Human Rights Award" from Amnesty International (2000) , The Distinguished Service Medallion and Torch Award from FIU (2000), the "Ms. Women of the Year Award" 2001, The Heroine of the Year Award by the Etha, Phi, Beta, Sorority , Inc. (2001), WED Dubois Leadership Award, NAACP Miami-Dade Branch (2002, Community Leadership Award, Haitian Lawyers Association (2002), The Red Cross Community Service Award (2002), The Leadership For a Changing World Award Ford Foundation, ( 2002), Women Who Make A Difference Award , Miami Law Women (2003) The Gwen S. Cherry Award, American Association of University Women (2003) , National LGBTQ Task Force Award (2003), One of Miami’s 50 Most Influential Black Business Professionals, Network Miami Magazine (2004), Community Service Award, Broward Black Elected Officials (2008), In 2005, she was named “One Of The 35 Most Remarkable Women In The World” by Essence Magazine, Community Involvement Award , Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce (June 2006), 100 President’s Award, 100 Black Men of South Florida (April 2008), Community Activist Award (National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (2010), Living Legend, Community Service Award”, Delta, Sigma, Theta Sorority One Hundred Year Anniversary Celebration (2013). “Living Legend, Community Service Award”, Delta, Sigma, Theta Sorority (2013), Outstanding Service Excellence Award , ASPA Florida (March 2013), City of North Miami Hall of FAME Inductee ( May 2013), U.S. Human Rights Movement Builders Award (December 2013), "Stanley Milledge Lifetime Achievement Award, ACLU (2015), Women who Inspire, City of North Miami, Florida (March 2018), Community Service Award (Immigrants We Get the Job Done, Hispanic Federation (April 2018), Immigrants Rights Award , NAACP (September 2018), Father Gerard Jean-Juste Visionary Leadership Award (May 2019), One of 11 Haitian Women to Celebrate During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 2019), 50 Most Powerful MBE Advocates and Career Professionals (U.S. Department of Commerce, October 2019)...
Upon the invitation of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Marleine testified in front of Congress in 2007 on the importance of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Additionally, she received Congressional Recognitions from Congresswomen Corinne Brown (2008), Frederica Wilson (2012), and Senator Bill Nelson (2005).
Marleine has dedicated herself to the betterment and the benefit of others - in health, education, economic survival and social justice. She consistently stands tall in the face of challenges and is always seeking fairness for the common good of our community- especially the women among us - She truly has made a difference.