WoW Midsummer 2021 Podcast Outline   Topics: Women of the World today New Faces Pandemic, Vaccine, and The New Normal Afghanistan Support What it means to be forcibly displaced…   Women of the World Today   I want to open up the conversation today by introducing the people on today’s podcast. Why don’t you let people know your first name, how long you’ve been with WoW, and how you come to human rights advocacy work…   As you can tell, Women of the World is made of some diverse voices working to overcome the critical needs of the women we serve. Maybe each of you cou ..read more

Founder and Executive Director Samira Harnish gets together (virtually) with a few women leaders from the forcibly displaced community in Utah to discuss their experiences with COVID-19, the economic recession, and the distinct needs of women during the pandemic. Also on the call, Anju Thapaliya from Nepal who is a Lead Medical Technologist at ARUP Laboratories, Taiba Amer from Iraq an Electrical Engineer working at Vivint Solar, and Sarah Alsahyem also from Iraq an engineer studying business in Utah ..read more

Women of the World is sad to lose one of its "best and brightest" as McKenzie goes back to school to develop skills to help on the policy side of social service. McKenzie shares her experience with Women of the World clients, gives insights on the needs of forcibly displaced women, and guides us on the simple ways in which anyone can help refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers--just by being their friend ..read more

WoW Executive Director Samira Harnish speaks with podcast producer Emily Means about Harnish's recent recognition by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Harnish was honored as a 2018 Nansen Refugee Award finalist, representing the Americas region. They discuss what it means for the organization to be recognized at the international level; how to continue to support refugees in the community; and the annual celebration on December 8 ..read more

WoW executive director Samira Harnish and board member Mary Dickson are joined by Rzan, who was awarded the title of "Mother of the Year" during the WoW Mother's Day celebration in May. Rzan and her husband, Nour, describe their story of coming to the United States from Syria with their five children, three of whom have disabilities. Rzan shares her experience in America and her dream of opening a school. During this episode, Harnish translates on behalf of Rzan and Nour, who speak Arabic ..read more

WoW Executive Director Samira Harnish and board member Mary Dickson are joined by Vestine, a refugee originating from Rwanda and Burundi. She shares the story of how she and her children came to Utah, her dream of running her own boutique and how she found services--and friends--through Women of the World.  ..read more

WoW executive director Samira Harnish and board member Mary Dickson talk about the stories of refugees that have inspired them; Harnish shares her own experience of migrating to Utah from Baghdad, Iraq and how she came to establish Women of the World.  ..read more

Tamara tells the story of why she and her family immigrated from Iraq ..read more

Saida is Somali, born in a refugee camp in Kenya and raised from age 3 in Utah. Saida is a poet and an activist, fitting a passionate voice and optimistic energy into her small, young frame. Wise and courageous beyond her years, Saida talks about newfound feelings of insecurity in her Utah home, a desire to set things right for kids like her growing up in refugee camps, and recites her poem read in the Utah state capitol. The Fashion Show for International Women's Day is coming up on 9 March at 5:30 P.M. In addition to Saida reading her poem, comments from both the Salt Lake County and Salt La ..read more

Cosette was born and raised in a refugee camp in Rwanda but you could not possibly know that from her infectious smile and unparalleled optimism. Cosette talks to the Women of the World podcast team about her life in the refugee camp and her parallel dreams of raising her children with American opportunities and one day returning home to family, friends, and the place she calls home. Cosette's story is indeed an amazing one but her process of telling it is nothing short of inspiring ..read more