This post is part of an ongoing series of posts dedicated to Maxim’s support of fierce women. A fierce woman is a “glorious female creature whose idea of beauty is hinged upon the idea that she can change the world with each choice, each moment, and each breath of her life.” To learn more about “What it means to be a fierce woman,” click here. If you know of any fierce women you want us to feature on our blog, please email us with their story at info@maximhy.com
A couple of weeks ago I ran up to the kitchen in a mad rush for my second cup of tea for the morning and as I dashed back to my desk to complete a project with a major deadline, I was captivated by the voice and image of two women on my television screen – Zainab Salbi and Radhiya Ajrad. As I watched the CNN report on their story, tears started to uncontrollably run down my cheeks. I was so taken by the awesome reunion of these two childhood friends – Two women with two completely different lives brought together by both womens’ courage and strong initiative in one organization – Women for Women, an organization started by Zainab to help women survivors of war rebuild their lives.
Over twenty years ago, as a seven year old child, with a family in desperate need of support, Radhiya was sent by her family to work as a live-in maid in Zainab’s home. Zainab and Radhiya became great friends but eventually lost touch when Zainab moved to the United States in 1990 to study. Only three years later and after spending some time in Bosnia, Zainab founded Women for Woman. Since then the organization has helped 271,000 women survivors of wars access social and economic opportunities through a program of rights awareness training, vocational skills education and access to income generating opportunities, thereby ultimately contributing to the political and economic health of their communities.
Throughout this time both Zainab and Radhiya made efforts to find each other, but it wasn’t until Women for Women became available after the U.S. led invasion of Iraq, that they were able to do so. After Radhiya’s husband was gunned down in front of her home she fled to Karballah with her six children where she was able to get by on charity and the help of the very organization her childhood friend helped develop. Radhiya wrote to her U.S. based sponsor about Zainab and even though she only had her maiden name the message found it’s way to Zainab, proving the organization’s strength and the validity of their mission statement: “One Woman Can Change Anything. Many Women Can Change Everything.”