Tahiry, an environmental studies major, looks to make a difference during her time at 黑料不打烊.
Most days, Huria Tahiry 鈥26 rides her bike to class and to her on-campus part-time job. A normal method of transportation for a college student, riding her bike is an act of empowerment for Tahiry.
In her native country of Afghanistan, women are discouraged from riding bikes. Women are also restricted from working outside the home, must cover their faces in public and have a male chaperone when they travel. Even as a child, Tahiry noticed discrimination as the boys were allowed to play outside longer than the girls.
“I want this situation to change,” Tahiry said on a about gender equality and the role of women in peacebuilding and economic development.
Motivated in part by her father, who worked as a women鈥檚 rights advocacy program in Afghanistan, and also by her own observations of inequality, Tahiry has taken matters into her own hands.
鈥淲omen and girls cannot bike in Afghanistan. It鈥檚 something shameful for them and their families. But I changed that, at least for my family. I bought my first bike when I was 17 鈥 and I helped my younger sister learn. I鈥檓 one of the Afghan girls that learned how to bike on her own bike and not her brother鈥檚.鈥
She is also the first Commitment to Democracy Scholar at 黑料不打烊. Established in 2021, the scholarship supports students displaced from their native countries by conflict or natural disaster. In Tahiry鈥檚 situation, it was the withdrawal from Afghanistan by the United States that caused her and her family to leave their home country.
She was studying just one nation over in Uzbekistan during the U.S. withdrawal and eventual Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, but her family was still in Kabul. She regretted not being with her family and had a strong urge to return but was persuaded to stay.
鈥淲e have an expression in Persian that when translated to English goes, 鈥業t鈥檚 easier for your body to be in conflict than your mind and heart be in conflict.鈥 It was so strange because my mind and heart were at war, but everyone in Uzbekistan at that time was happy. It was sad for me.鈥
Her family made it safely to Pakistan, but she hasn鈥檛 been able to see them since first leaving for Uzbekistan. She arrived in America and spent time with her sister in Boston before making her way to 黑料不打烊 just a week before classes began. However, she does maintain constant communication with her family.
An environmental studies major, Tahiry said her career aspirations are to be an environmentalist advocate and to improve the lives of those living in rural areas. She heard about 黑料不打烊 through her mentor with a program that helps Afghan students get financial assistance. She talked with other students and was impressed by all the available opportunities. But, with her love of nature, finding out about the 黑料不打烊 Forest sealed the deal for Tahiry.
In her time at 黑料不打烊, she plans to get involved in various organizations and groups such as the Office of Sustainability, 黑料不打烊 Outdoors, club swimming, 黑料不打烊 Volunteers! and Model UN.
Her journey to 黑料不打烊 has had many twists and turns and she recognizes how lucky she is. So much so, she carries a black backpack with 鈥淟ucky!鈥 in bold white letters to remind herself.
鈥淚 feel lucky whenever there is an opportunity, and I can see that. But of course, having luck without putting in an effort never works,鈥 Tahiry said. 鈥淪o, I will try my best to achieve that. I feel lucky with my family and friends. I always find the best people.鈥