Word of Mouth Newsletter - March 2026

Mar 5
4 min read

Hello, friends.

It’s a difficult time for many of those in our community. Children are scared to go to school; people are avoiding health clinics, social services, and public benefit programs out of fear their actions could trigger immigration enforcement, and protests are occurring throughout the country. Unfortunately, ICE activity is shaping how some families live, work, and engage in their communities. Please know that as an organization, we are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds and leaning into our values by standing alongside trusted partners and community organizations working to help keep people informed, safe, and connected to critical resources.

We stand with everyone being impacted, including our region’s immigrant and refugee communities, educators, healthcare providers, social service professionals, and our interpreters who work every day on the front lines to ensure communication remains clear and accessible. We will continue supporting our dedicated team of interpreters to ensure their safety during every assignment, partnering with organizations serving multilingual communities, and advancing language access in every way that we can.

With love, Mary Jayne

Social Impact

Recently, Global Wordsmiths joined organizations across the Pittsburgh region in signing a collective letter supporting the proposed ordinance in Allegheny County aimed at ensuring equal access to County services regardless of immigration or citizenship status and limiting the use of County resources for federal immigration enforcement by ICE. On Monday, March 2, Allegheny County council advanced the bill to limit ICE cooperation, setting up a final vote as soon as March 10.

As an organization committed to inclusive communication, we believe communities are strongest when all residents feel safe accessing essential services and engaging with local institutions. We are proud to support these efforts that promote equitable access for everyone in our region.

Linguist Spotlight

From performing on some of the world’s largest stages to serving as an advocate for the LEP community, Pepo helps individuals across Southwestern Pennsylvania as a French, Swahili, and Lingala interpreter, ensuring families are heard and understood during life’s critical moments.

Learn More

News and Culture

Pittsburgh-based language service provider expands to Central Pa. How ICE Raids Are Affecting Children—And What Schools Can Do Fearing ICE crackdown, immigrants nationally are avoiding treatment, sometimes with dire consequences

ICE activity is rising in Pittsburgh. Know what to do. New Federal Language Access Bill Proposed in US House of Representatives

Resources for Interpreters

PSSA/Keystone Informational Session As standardized testing season approaches, we invite all our interpreters to join our upcoming PSSA/Keystone Informational Session, designed to help them prepare for this important work supporting school districts across Southwestern Pennsylvania. This virtual session will provide guidance, practical insights, and an opportunity to learn directly from experienced interpreters.

Event highlights include:
- Process Overview: Learn about the interpretation process and key expectations for PSSA and Keystone assignments.
- Panel Q&A: Hear from two seasoned linguists and ask questions about real-world interpreting experiences during testing sessions.
Event details:
- Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM ET
- Duration: 1 hour
- Location: Zoom (virtual session)

Interested in attending our training sessions for interpreters or service providers? Reach out to us at support@globalwordsmiths.com to learn more!

2026 Global Wordsmiths' Interpretation Seminar

On April 26, we’re excited to host the 2026 Global Wordsmiths' Interpretation Seminar, a special event dedicated to networking, professional development, and celebration. This seminar will offer several opportunities for our interpreters to connect and grow within our community.

Event details include:
- Networking: Meet and socialize with fellow interpreters and our internal team.
- Panel Discussion ("Guilty as Charged"): Hear from peers as they share experiences and insights regarding professional boundaries in various interpretation settings.
- Potluck Lunch: Please bring a dish to share.
- Music & Dance: Enjoy music and dancing following the panel discussion.