Client Involvement
Ruth’s Story
Ruth fled Kenya, her native country, because after the death of her husband, she was being forced by her in-laws to marry her husband’s abusive brother as a third wife and subject her daughter to female genital mutilation. Ruth refused to surrender to this fate and fled. With Tahirih’s help, Ruth was granted asylum in March 1999.
Ruth’s story does not end here, however.
Through perseverance and hard work, she is making a new life for herself and her family. Ruth is now working for a local government, coordinating social services for others in need. In addition, Ruth has purchased her own home and is financially supporting her daughter as she pursues her college degree. Ruth has also actively served on Tahirih’s Board of Directors since January 2005 and has been an outspoken ambassador of Tahirih’s efforts to protect women and girls.
Despite the nature of the violence they have fled, many of the women and girls we represent are eager to give back and speak out. Tahirih is honored to have these courageous women and girls as ambassadors of our work. We have clients who actively serve on our Board of Directors. In addition, clients participate in Congressional briefings, public education and outreach, Tahirih’s annual Benefit, and other events. They provide a critical voice in giving feedback on our programs and in helping to guide our legislative advocacy agenda.
Tahirih’s Wings
Tahirih’s Wings is a group of courageous women—Tahirih Justice Center clients and their families—who meet regularly and organize themselves to speak out against the violence they have suffered, educate the public on their issues, advocate for the protection of women like themselves, and provide support for each other. The members of Tahirih’s Wings have suffered abuses not only as a result of the violence they have fled, but also as a result of the US immigration system they have had to navigate.
Having found justice and now feeling safe, Tahirih’s Wings wants to help other women and girls like themselves take the first steps in slowly re-building their lives. Their name, Tahirih’s Wings, was chosen as a symbol of how the strength they find in each other can uplift those in need and support the work of the Tahirih Justice Center.
