Built By Her: Afghan Women Leading Change

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the stories of Afghan women who are not only building new lives, but actively shaping stronger, more supportive communities for others. Basira and Mahshid are part of that story—both young women whose leadership and commitment reflect both resilience and vision.

Mahshid’s path is rooted in a similar commitment to equity and access. As a Dari-speaking Community CoDesign Facilitator, she brings empathy and a strong belief in the importance of culturally grounded care. Her interest in health equity and community-based support is personal. She understands how often immigrant and refugee voices are overlooked, and she is intentional about helping create spaces where those voices are centered. Through her work, she focuses on building trust and connection, ensuring that Afghan women feel supported not only in their challenges, but in their strengths. Currently studying Biology on a pre-med track, Mahshid is working toward a future in healthcare, where she can continue advocating for communities like her own.

Basira joins the CoDesign project with a deep, personal connection to the work. As

someone who shares cultural and linguistic ties with the Afghan community, she understands how important it is for women to feel seen, heard, and supported—especially when navigating new environments. Her passion for advocating for Afghan women’s rights shows up in the way she communicates, leads, and creates space for others. Whether she’s contributing to conversations around mental health or helping build community-centered initiatives, she brings both intention and care. As a Business Analytics major working toward her 2028 graduation, Basira is also building a future where her skills can continue to uplift the communities she’s part of.

Together, Basira and Mahshid represent a generation of Afghan women who are redefining what leadership looks like. Their work with the CoDesign project, in collaboration with the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health, is grounded in something powerful: the belief that healing and progress start by listening to the community itself.

Their stories remind us that women’s history is something that's being written every day through courage, connection, and care.

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of donors like you.

Your support gives them the chance to step back into a classroom and onward into their future.

If you want to help more students reclaim their education and chase their dreams, please consider donating today.

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