Leader uplifts working together for change
Naghmana Sherazi
In closing the Legislative Conference, Naghmana Ahmed Sherazi, a scientist, educator and mother who moved to Spokane from Houston seven years ago, was impressed by the issues covered.
"Like the five fingers on each hand, each digit is of inherent worth and created for a reason," she said. "Like the opposable thumb, for the hand to function efficiently, all fingers must come together to make it work.
"For society to work, we all must bring our individual expertise, gifts and skills, celebrate our cultures so society can be enriched and function as a whole," Naghmana said.
"We must all come together and work together on all these issues we care about. Collectively, we can make a difference and our strong, unified voices will be heard," she said.
"We were all created different, so we can teach and learn from each other," Naghmana said. "Similarly, we all have insights into how different bills can affect us.
"No one can bring change alone. I had no family in Spokane when I came, so I created community here. Like minds gravitate towards each other," she said.
She appreciates that Spokane welcomed her, a Muslim immigrant woman from Pakistan. She is now a citizen and is involved with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, Refugee Connections, Muslims for Community Action and Support, Spokane Women Together, the Center for Justice and Spokane FāVS.
"With Spokane 87 percent white, that means that 13 percent of the population is people of other cultures," Naghmana observed. "So we must strive to build community and accept each other."
For information, email sherazi@gonzaga.edu.
Copyright@ The Fig Tree, March, 2020
