Resiliency is a characteristic that crosses divides, springs out of desolate places, and transcends what is often deemed as impossible. It is innately human, and unites us. While in college, I joined a Women’s rugby team. Many of our practices were dedicated to endurance drills; one such drill was a sort of up-down/sprint hybrid. We jogged in place on the tri-line, in our black and orange striped jerseys, until the whistle was blown - we would then fall to the ground in push-up position, stand-up, pivot and take-off in a full-blown sprint to the 50 yard line This experience taught me about the capacity we have to push forward in the face of adversity, despite feeling weak. Later in life, I served at a refugee camp in Greece, working with Yazidi-genocide survivors and then in Jordan, serving as the Vice President of an NGO called Rebuild for Peace. During this time, I was exposed to stories of trauma and hardship, but also stories of victory and healing. Later, I received a Masters in Human Rights Practice and am currently working on a Certificate of Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery from Harvard Medical School. Throughout these programs, my understanding of resiliency has been added upon and I have increased my belief in the indelible tenacity of humanity to recover from hardship. Over the course of these experiences, I have identified three traits that I believe contribute to one’s ability to harness resiliency: 1. Community connections 2. Self-belief and 3. A willingness to serve others. When we fall, I believe that we have the capacity to “pop up”, sprint, and jog in place. We inevitably will fall down again, but if we lean on others, believe that we have the strength within us, and give back to others when they fall short - I believe we will find the capacity within ourselves to push forward again and again. Alison Udall is a Nonprofit Executive, serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Rebuild for Peace, an organization that provides vocational, entrepreneurship, and peace-building training to refugees and at-risk youth in conflict-affected areas.
In the last several years with Rebuild for Peace, Alison has been instrumental in establishing 15 learning centers in the Kingdom of Jordan for refugees and at-risk youth, graduating over 250 students in underserved areas.
Alison has a Dual Bachelors in International Studies: Economic and Political Development and Spanish and a Masters in Human Rights Practice. She is currently a part of the Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery Program - Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma - through Harvard Medical School. Alison is committed to dedicating her life to assisting victims of trauma, affected by war and forced migration. Her focus centers on the intersection of economic development, human rights, and mental health. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at
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