Welcome to the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women website.
Paula Nirschel founded the Initiative in 2002 after learning how Afghan women were kept hidden and denied education for the seven years of the Taliban’s reign over Afghanistan. Determined to make a difference, Paula started the program to offer education to some of the country’s highly motivated young women.
The IEAW works to secure four-year scholarships for Afghan women to study at American universities around the country.
All the students return home every summer to work for reconstruction and to help support their families. They commit to return to Afghanistan at the completion of their education, where we anticipate they will move into leadership roles, further reconstruction efforts and assist in improving the place of women in their society.
The IEAW selects students for their high academic standards and keen English skills.
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December 2007 |
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On Friday, December 28, 2007, IEAW students and staff joined Ambassador Said Jawad at the Embassy of Afghanistan for Afternoon Tea.
Ambassador Jawad was a gracious host and offered the students many words of encouragement. He reminded them that when they return home, they will be among the elite who will have the knowledge to advance the country of Afghanistan. He then encouraged the students to apply their newly gained knowledge and become leaders for their people.
For the freshman students, this was their first visit to the Embassy of Afghanistan and their first time to meet Ambassador Jawad. They were honored when Ambassador Jawad addressed them separately and joined them for a photo.
The students left the Embassy with a sense of pride in their country and an ever-increasing motivation to forge on toward their goals to bring hope and reconstruction to their beloved Afghanistan.
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April 2007 |
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In April 2007, the IEAW advisory board joined for its annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
Key supporters of the IEAW traveled from around the United States and the world to attend this meeting. Traveling all the way from Kabul, Afghanistan, the country’s minister of finance, Anwar Ahady, came with his wife Fatima Gailani, president of the Red Crescent in Afghanistan.
Both Anwar and Fatima spoke to the advisory board about the past, present and future state of Afghanistan.
The advisory board meeting was a full-day event, beginning with a round table discussion and ending with a relaxing traditional Afghan dinner. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current status of the Initiative and to plan for the substantial growth of the program. By all accounts, the meeting was a success. |
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February 2007 |
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Three of our students—Muska, Benafsha and Zohra—were invited to Washington by Nina Richardson and Molly Kellogg to speak at the Sulgrave Club, one of the most prominent women’s clubs in the country.
In addition to speaking about the love and support they have received from Americans and the IEAW while attending university in the U.S, the students talking about survival, academic success and the benefits of international education.
After the students finished presenting, the IEAW students had a lively discussion with the club members. Most notably, the members were impressed by the IEAW’s efforts to help the students maintain their religion and culture while in the U.S.
As expected, the students spoke about their country and their experience with the IEAW with the utmost poise and intelligence.
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May 2006 |
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First Lady Laura Bush graduated our first three IEAW students at Roger Williams University. (Please note that the IEAW is a non-partisan organization.)
A total of six students graduated in 2006 at four U.S. colleges. This was the first graduating class of the program.
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 Annual
Intersession
In December, the director, coordinator and
all of the students gathered for a week in
Washington, D.C. This annual gathering is a
signature part of the IEAW.
Highlights from this
year’s trip included a tour of the White House,
Afternoon Tea at the Embassy of Afghanistan
(hosted by Ambassador Said Jawad), a private
briefing and tour of the U.S. Supreme Court, a
tour of the Sewell-Belmont House—a Women’s
Museum—and a trip to the Embassy of Pakistan to
pay honor and respect to Benazir Bhutto who was
assassinated on the first day of Intersession.
The students and staff will have especially fond
memories of the time spent together cooking,
talking, laughing, rekindling friendships and
reconnecting to the Afghan culture. |
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 Graduations
The IEAW has celebrated its second year of graduations.
In 2007, four students graduated from the University of Montana, Montclair State University, Kennesaw State University and Juniata College, bringing the total number of IEAW graduates to 10.
Through the IEAW and its partner colleges, 10 young women, previously denied education, now have university degrees.
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 Significant Growth
for the IEAW
The IEAW is excited to announce a substantial increase in students:
This year, the Initiative will educate
42 women at 17 colleges around the United States.
As an additional seven women have graduated and moved into the workplace, the IEAW is proud to have facilitated the university education of a total of 49 Afghan women. |
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