First Monthly Gathering Empowers Afghan Women
On Saturday February 25th, over 20 members of Lowell’s female Afghan community joined together in what is hoped to be the first of many Afghan Women Monthly Gatherings. Held at the ACE Center for New Americans, this event served as a monumental step for the empowerment of Afghan women.
Our first Afghan Women Monthly Gathering was hosted by Bahara Hussaini. A Fulbright Scholar, has earned her Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, while also holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the American University of Afghanistan. Bahara is not only an accomplished scholar but also an impassioned advocate for education and peace. In 2019, she spearheaded the creation of “The Bookies”, a volunteer movement dedicated to fostering peace and acceptance among Afghan children. Through this innovative initiative, Bahara and her team actively have been working to nurture a culture of harmony and understanding in five provinces of Afghanistan. Her current work is centered around ACE Center for New Americans as a Community Outreach Coordinator, where she is mainly focusing on empowering Afghan women in the community.
The dialogue of the event itself was delivered in Pashto, as Bahara talked with those in attendance about the importance of Afghan female empowerment. The event provided a chance for Afghan Women in the Lowell community to explore new friendships, network, and learn about shared experiences of life in the United States. The gathering also featured Guest Speaker Zoe Dzineku, the Director of the Family Leadership Institute at Lowell Public Schools (LPS), Zoe Dzineku. A proud alumna of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Zoe also holds a ParaLegal Certificate from Northeastern University. At the gathering, Zoe spoke to those in attendance about her own personal journey to the United States. Additionally, Zoe provided valuable resources available to parents at Lowell High School, offering our participants a wealth of information and support.
ACE Center Program Manager also spoke at the gathering, informing participants of the subsequent Afghan Community Listening Session, as well as the multitude of programs and services offered by the ACE Center.
Following the event, attendees were encouraged to network, and take part enjoying delightful Afghan cuisine. We believe that this event was the first step towards supporting Afghan Women, offering the guidance and resources necessary to guide them to a successful and enriching experience in Lowell, and the United States as a whole.