Featured Stories
This section of The.Ismaili/USA features important stories and information.
Despite Personal Struggles, Helping Others Struggling
12 October 2019
Dr. Aliya Sheriff is as an agent of social change. Since childhood, she understood that an education was earned to serve humankind. Her older brother, who passed when she was 17-years-old always teased her for her unrelenting vision, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion to help the most vulnerable.
Supporting Nurses Around the World: Ismaili Nurses Alliance
12 October 2019
“ I have long felt the enhancement of the nursing profession to be absolutely critical to the improvement of healthcare in the developing world, and the Islamic world. The way forward was to professionalize, to institutionalize, and to dignify this great profession.” -Mawlana Hazar Imam, Archon Award Ceremony of Sigma Theta Tau International, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 7, 2001
Focusing on Women's Health in Pakistan and Tajikistan
12 October 2019
A shared characteristic among many women is the resilience to rise in the ranks and overcome barriers. These trailblazing women overcome hurdles and ensure that those who follow, have a path forward that paves the way to success. Whether these challenges are rising through the ranks professionally or managing personal aspects like their health, being empowered leads to exemplary accomplishments.
Creating a Women’s Network and Navigating the Healthcare Maze
11 October 2019
Almost five years ago, a group of 40 women in the intelligence field gathered in a home in Washington, DC. They were all connected in various professional development organizations, but something was missing.
Still a Volunteer at 105 Years of Age
11 October 2019
Her blue dupatta (shawl) with the white border glistens as she directs the flow of traffic in Atlanta’s busy Ismaili Center and Jamatkhana, while seated on her chair. "Maaji" celebrated her 105th birthday on January 1st of this year, and she is the epitome of service, dedication and loyalty to the Imam and the Jamat.
Women and Their Mental Health
8 October 2019
Good mental health is essential to optimal functioning in our daily personal and work lives. However, more than one in five women in the United States experienced a mental illness in the last year. According to the World Health Organization, women predominate in mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints. When women suffer, their families inevitably also suffer. For example, maternal depression is considered a significant risk factor for the socio-emotional and cognitive development of children.
Connecting Women in, and to, Technology
5 October 2019
Education today is changing rapidly, particularly given the permeating presence of technology. Sehreen Noor Ali and Sabina Bharwani demonstrate the ideal of using their knowledge for the good of others in the field of education and education technology (edtech), or the use of various technology (e.g. mobile applications) to facilitate learning.
Ismaili Women Impacting the Media
5 October 2019
“My work has taught me the power of storytelling. When people have no food, no water when they are living in war, poverty and violence when they have no hope, they have a story to tell and it is their most precious currency. I believe powerful storytelling comes from powerful emotional connections to compelling stories that uncover injustice, amplify the voiceless, show in the capacity of humanity, and hold the powerful accountable."
Artists Continue their Craft
22 September 2019
Most of us know the feeling of being moved by a work of art, whether it’s song, film, painting or poem. When we are touched, we become aware of a feeling that may not be familiar to us but which transports us to a different emotional space.
Constant Education: Creating a Platform for Sharing Knowledge
21 September 2019
When Mubina Gillani got her start within the securities industry on the Toronto Stock Exchange, everything was manual. “It took five days to do a trade. There was physical money exchanged by runners who were real men running up and down Bay Street”, recalled Mubina. “It was a stressful, manual time!”
“Be inspired, Get inspired and Stay Inspired!” Four Trailblazing Women Entrepreneurs
21 September 2019
Four women, three businesses, an inspiration to all. We look at these entrepreneurs who all started at a young age, from retail fashion accessories to merchant services, cosmetology, and hairdressing. From innovation to entering a field eons old, they found their niche and a way to be successful.
Women in Public Service
21 September 2019
From working on programs promoting the rights of vulnerable children following natural disasters, to strengthening civil society, and coordinating rapid response for emergency relief, the women profiled here are on a mission to improve the quality of life of their community, especially those that are women. Through their work, they are involved in the complete cycle of empowerment for women – from access, to inclusion, and finally, a seat at the table.
