Maye Aghazadeh, Bethesda, MD
With each passing year, I gain more admiration for the work of the Tahirih Justice Center and the manner in which Tahirih has expanded and grown, both as a viable force of legal justice as well as a vehicle of critical social and emotional support for its clients. I support Tahirih not simply because of its high ideals and mission. I support Tahirih because, on the most basic level, Tahirih is helping women who have no voice in our society. Tahirih gives women hope and supports them in their struggle to achieve independence. Tahirih gives its clients the chance to live a self-determined life.
Since its inception in 1997, I have been involved with the Tahirih Justice Center largely due to my association with its founder, Layli Miller-Muro. I first met Layli through family connections 20 years ago. I knew her to be a very eloquent, intelligent, and passionate aspiring lawyer. I remember well when Layli was involved as a law student in the asylum case for Fauziya Kassindja, co-authored the book Do They Hear You When You Cry, and donated her portion of the proceeds to found the Tahirih Justice Center.
Fauziya’s case informed me of the ghastly practice of female genital mutilation, a practice of genital cutting which is inflicted upon girls and women in certain cultures in the world. In the early years, Tahirih would hold local fundraisers to raise awareness and support among the grassroots. We learned what our sisters in other parts of the world endured. We heard the real-life stories of their pain and suffering, both physically as well as emotionally, from these forced cuttings. And of their struggle, courage and determination to achieve freedom from the cruelties imposed upon them.
Over the years, Tahirih has expanded its services to clients fleeing from gender-based violence. Other programs include free legal representation to immigrant women who are “battered” and seeking permanent residence, protection for victims of trafficking and assistance for women in accessing desperately-needed social and medical services, including mental health services. Tahirih also embarked on a campaign to end exploitation by international marriage brokers by advocating for accountability of these agencies, seeking legislative change and litigation to protect women from abuse.
Looking back now on those early days, I felt good about my involvement and how it might make a difference. However over the past 11 years, the Tahirih Justice Center has far surpassed even my own idealistic expectations! It gives me such great pleasure and satisfaction to support an organization which is at once innovative and aspiring, as well as highly effective in executing its charge.
My deepest admiration goes out to the Tahirih Justice Center. I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved and to know you are making a huge difference in the lives of the women and girls you serve.
Become a LifeSaver
The legal cases of the women and girls we serve are complicated and time-intensive claims that require legal staff time, client calls, meetings, and court hearings. It costs Tahirih $5,000 to advocate for just one woman or girl fleeing gender-based violence. Yet, when you consider the alternative of a woman or girl being forced to return to face certain violence or even death, the cost of their protection seems like very little.
You can make a secure donation now as a one-time gift or in installments. For more information, please contact us at development@tahirih.org.
