Keith BieryGolick
George Sehi holds up a picture from the airport when he left Iran to come to America in 1975. He says he had nothing but $500 in his pocket, and he uses this experience with his nonprofit, Women Walking West.
His kids are tired of hearing about it. The airport. The money. The odd jobs he worked. But it’s central to who Sehi is. And it’s central to who he wants to help.
People like Diaz.
It’s why he started Women Walking West, a nonprofit that provides mentorship to women who come to America for their education.
“It’s not easy, but it gets better,” Sehi said.
With a little help, he eventually got a doctorate degree. And as a college dean, he often saw international students struggling — especially women. Sehi tells us one person the nonprofit helped fled Afghanistan because Taliban members told her if she went to school they’d kill her.
Inside the Women Walking West office, Sehi points to a map.
“I got to pinch myself every day I wake up in the morning,” he said. “We are currently assisting 230 women from 58 different countries.”
For Diaz, the group gave her a mentor. Someone who’s been in her shoes. More than that, it’s given her community.
And it’s part of the reason she’s studying to become a lawyer.
“I’m not the first one and I’m also not going to be the last one going through this,” Diaz said. “Many people need a lot of help, so maybe I can help them.”
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For more information about Women Walking West, click this link.
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Publish date : 2024-11-29 02:09:00
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