Two weeks ago, on October 19, 2021, the Network of enlightened Women at American University teamed up with our school’s Alexander Hamilton Society chapter to cosponsor a “Discussion on Women in Afghanistan” featuring Anita McBride, executive-in-residence at American University’s School of Public Affairs, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, and member of the U.S. Afghan Women’s Council; Connie Morella, Former Ambassador and Congresswoman; and Mozhgan Wafiq Alokozai, Afghani female business and education leader.
Each of these highly respected and accomplished women had uniquely valuable insights to offer on the topic of women and girls in Afghanistan given their diverse backgrounds. Hearing from Mozhgan Wafiq Alokozai was particularly rewarding as she was able to share her firsthand experiences as a woman who lived in Afghanistan and still has family in the region.
Prior to the start of the discussion, attendees had the opportunity to connect with the speakers and enjoy a “taste of Afghanistan” through small bites and appetizers catered from Lapis, an Afghan restaurant in Washington, DC. This whole event was an incredible way for NeW at American to draw awareness to a cause that must not be simply swept under the rug.
A resounding point that the three speakers came to a consensus on was that supporting women in Afghanistan is an issue that can unite legislators of both political parties. Bipartisan momentum is a step towards a remedy to the horrid conditions women in Afghanistan are facing. It would be a disservice to women around the world to ignore this fact.
Approximately thirty students attended this event, many of whom came with excellent questions pertaining to what we can do as college students to help support Afghan women and girls both in their home country and in the U.S. Our speakers ended their remarks with calls to action such as donating to nonprofit organizations focused on this cause, providing aid to refugees in the Washington, DC area, and becoming educated on meaningful political action the U.S. can take moving forward to preserve the individual liberties being stripped away from women in Afghanistan.
This event was not only educational, but inspired many of us to get involved and do more to support other women around the world.
Best wishes,
Abby Daniels President of NeW at American University
NeW has deemed 2021 “The Year of the Conservative Woman.” Each month we host a conversation with a featured Conservative Woman of the Month. We are proud to announce our November Conservative Woman of the Month is Heidi Ganahl, founder of Camp Bow Wow and the SheFactor.
Heidi Ganahl is one of Colorado’s most well-known entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Her story is outlined by extraordinary adversity in her life. Beginning with the loss of her husband at the age of 27, then losing a million-dollar insurance settlement, Ganahl picked up her entrepreneurial spirit and channeled her leadership skills to help get back up and ultimately become the “Top Dog” and founder of Camp Bow Wow, Fight Back Foundation, and her latest project: SheFactor.
Ganahl has been named one of Fortune magazine’s 10 Most Promising Entrepreneurs, and Parade magazine included her in their list of the top women entrepreneurs in the country.
One of her passions is to find ways to give back. In 2016, she was elected as a University of Colorado Regent, where she continues to serve, and she serves on various other boards focused on entrepreneurship and education. Ganahl founded the Fight Back Foundation to positively tackle the most pressing issues facing our kids today, and in 2019 launched SheFactor, a national multimedia platform for young women that helps them navigate life after college. She also serves on the NeW Advisory Board. In September 2021, Ganahl announced her candidacy for Colorado Governor.
She is the proud wife of Jason Ganahl, one of the top BBQ cooks in the country, and owner of GQUE BBQ restaurant near Boulder, Colorado. Together, they have four kids – Tori, Hollie, and twins Jack and Jenna.
We hope you will join us on November 11 at 2pm ET on Facebook Live for an engaging discussion with our inspiring Conservative Woman of the Month.
A resounding point that the three speakers came to a consensus on was that supporting women in Afghanistan is an issue that can unite legislators of both political parties. Bipartisan momentum is a step towards a remedy to the horrid conditions women in Afghanistan are facing. It would be a disservice to women around the world to ignore this fact.
