What makes you a Difference Maker?

Amidst the confusion, joy and disbelief that I was selected to be a Difference Maker, I found myself questioning the nature of this title and what it meant to be a part of this collective identity. I came to Michigan in the Fall of 2013. Fresh out of graduating high school in Abu Dhabi, I’d braced myself for the circumstances that awaited me. I’d never lived in the US, much less stayed there for a period longer than a month. I was in a place that was completely foreign to me without any immediate family or friends. But I was intoxicated by this newfound freedom, and thought YES, this is every kid’s dream, going to college without any adult supervision. You could say my expectations were highly unrealistic, especially with what happened next. Over the next 12 months I was diagnosed with systemic lupus, didn’t have a single friend by the end of my freshman year and my depression was at an all-time high. You could say my illusions were shattered, and it was to the point where I was just exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally. 

I don't know when my “aha” moment was, but waking up one morning, I just needed a change in my life; I wanted to take a risk. So, I said what the hell, let me become the thing that I’ve despised and made fun of for years—let me become a sorority woman. Recruitment week was a blur for me; just a memory of different rooms mixed with smiles and bright colors, but what I do remember vividly is how I felt. I was shocked how something that seemed so trivial to me, ended up having such a significant impact. The whole process was so foreign and confusing. It was only the day of preference ceremonies, where I was standing—little did I know—among my future sisters, I realized that this could be somewhere I belong. That decision led me total on leadership roles in Greek life, join the Empowered Arab American Women Association and being inducted into the Greek Honor Society, Order of Omega. 

I didn't want to spend the next four years sitting at home waiting for a degree. I wanted to make a difference. Success isn't a baseline, it's a volatile process. Some days, I spend the day in bed finding solace in the collage of Barack and Joe memes I have stored on my phone, and some days I am able to raise over $1000 to empower young girls and women in their battle for equal rights. I know there was, there will and there are going to be days where I want to give up, but I strive to get up and fight. I’m a fighter, and that's why I'm a Difference Maker.

Highlight your campus achievements:

Leadership Synergy Certificate - A certificate presented to those who have demonstrated commitment and dedication to student life at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and continue to do so with their leadership and positive impact.

Outstanding Student Organization Program - An award presented to a program coordinated by a student organization which reached a broad audience, had campus wide visibility and enhanced student life. Circle of Sisterhood Week, a series of events I orchestrated for our Panhellenic philanthropy Circle of Sisterhood, received this distinction at the Student Leadership Awards.

Panhellenic Woman of the Year - This award recognizes the Panhellenic woman who exemplifies the spirit and creed of the National Panhellenic Council. She’s an active and proud member of the Panhellenic community who builds positive relationships amongst chapters. She exhibits exceptional involvement, contributions and service to Greek Life and the campus community while always representing Panhellenic with the utmost class.

Tuition Differential Scholarship - The Tuition Differential Scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen who have a cumulative GPA of 3.40 and a SAT combined score of 1110. It covers the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, and is renewable with a cumulative 3.25 GPA.

Order of Omega - The Order of Omega is an undergraduate Greek society recognizing "fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-fraternity activities."

Highlight your leadership experiences both on and off campus:    

Vice President of Philanthropy - College Panhellenic Council 
- Plan philanthropic events each semester dedicated to Circle of Sisterhood and the Dearborn Animal Shelter, and as a result raised $1,007.50 in four days
- Executed No Blurred Lines; the first annual Sexual Assault Awareness Week co sponsored with Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, and reached over 300 individuals on campus by handing out white ribbons symbolizing a pledge against all forms of sexual violence
- Record and publicize philanthropic events for each Panhellenic chapter and the amount of money raised for each event
- Work with each individual chapter's philanthropy chair and promote each chapter's philanthropic events
- Devise an online campaign that includes flyers, promotional videos and event pages to increase awareness about the philanthropy

Head Officer - Palestine Children's Relief Fund
- Planned and executed various campaigns and fundraisers throughout the year raising a total of $10,000
- Communicated with advisors, students and other individuals to spread awareness about our philanthropy leading to a 33% increase in membership
- Visited the Palestinian refugee camp in Burj Al Barajni, Lebanon and was able to videotape and record the locals' tales about living in Palestine, abandoning their homes and ending up in Beirut. I was able to present their stories at our annual PCRF dinner, and through that we were able to fund several projects enabling children to have surgery and invest in their futures

Political Intern - Brenda Lawrence's Campaign for Congress
- Wrote correspondence, handled mail and managed phone calls
- Attended meetings, hearings and briefings to remain informed about current legislative issues    
- Canvassed and interacted with the community to spread the candidate's message

What is your dream career and/or long term life goal?

I’ve always been passionate about the progression of human rights through legislation and economic development strategies. As a general business (pre-law) major, I’m interested in a multidimensional approach that highlights the political, social, environmental and economic factors that contribute to a state's structure and function. As a psychology minor, I want to understand the complex mental processes that determine human behavior. This past election was a pivotal turning point in my evaluation of not just local legislation, but also international legislation, conduct and ideology. 

As the Independent perfectly stated “Congrats, America. You’d rather elect a man accused of sexual assault than a woman who mishandled her emails.” So…how did we get here? We all concentrated on winning, but not the consequences of winning. This election has left us with numerous bruises and scars, but with no results. We find ourselves trapped in a poisonous political system that leaves individuals on either end of the spectrum disgruntled, disheartened and disappointed. But it’s fine, as long as you’re right, right?

This melting pot of mixing ideologies, cultures and emotions that we deem ourselves proud of, has hardened and separated, with hate and fear lining the corners. But this state isn’t permanent. Are we broken? Perhaps. But beyond repair? Never. Despite all the heartbreak we may be facing today, know you’re not alone. Though you are a victim of this ridiculous red, white and blue rhetoric that sees no wrong with this beloved country, we understand criticism and love are not mutually exclusive. To my Arab, Muslim, Black, Asian, Jewish, LGBTQ+ and Hispanic brothers and sisters, to the immigrants and refugees who sacrificed everything to come to this country, to survivors of sexual assault and anyone else who might be suffering at this moment:
We see you. We hear you. We are with you. We love you. Keep fighting the good fight. Love always trumps hate.
We can no longer remain silent and indifferent about the fact that there are people, in this very democracy, fighting for their right to exist as a result of a piece of paper or twisted social construct. I don’t accept that. I reject that. I fight that. Today, and tomorrow, and every day until there is change, I reject and fight that narrative. As 1968 Olympian John Carlos put it, "There is no partial commitment to justice. You're either in or you're out." As an Arab-American Muslim woman, who has spent her life hearing from privileged men what I can and cannot do with my own body, what I should or should not think with my own mind or who I can and cannot be by my own merits, it’s my duty to tell myself and all those struggling around me that we’re powerful, worthy and deserving of every opportunity that comes our way. 

It’s instrumental to realize that though this may be the present, this is not the future. WE are the future, and I strive to make it a better one.