The Founder |
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Shortly after the tragic events of 9/11,
Paula Nirschel became sickened by the reality
that Afghan women were kept in the house and
denied education for seven years. In January
2002, haunted by the images of Afghan women
hidden behind the burka, Mrs. Nirschel decided
to make a difference. She founded the Initiative
to Educate Afghan Women to help educate and
strengthen the lives of the women of Afghanistan
both academically and personally.
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Paula Nirschel
Founder/Director |
College and university presidents from across the country were challenged to match a commitment made
by Roger Williams University to offer one full room-and-board scholarship to an Afghan woman. Four women came to the
United States for education in the Fall of 2002. This year, there are 30 students in the program at 13 universities
around the United States. Following their graduation, they will return to Afghanistan and serve as capable professionals
and personal role models.
Paula Nirschel’s efforts to better the lives of Afghan women have certainly not gone unnoticed.
She has been interviewed and praised by Katie Couric on the Today Show; met with Afghani dignitaries, including
President Karzai; and has presented at the nation’s two most prominent women’s clubs, The Colony Club in
New York City and The Sulgrave Club in Washington, DC. She presented at the Educating and Empowering the Women of Afghanistan conference coordinated by Mrs. Laura Bush, and most recently was a panelist at The Women's Forum @ United Nations Association of Greater Boston.
Mrs. Nirschel’s accomplishments have been, both privately and publicly, acknowledged by President and
Mrs. Bush. Their respect for her became evident when they invited her to be one of eight women, including five international
presidential spouses, to attend and participate in the 2003 G8 Summit discussion regarding health and education for Afghan
women. In 2006, President and Mrs. Bush also honored Mrs. Nirschel as one of an elite group of 13 individuals who had made
a difference in Afghanistan and Iraq.
What started as a small initiative has blossomed into a nationally recognized and respected organization. Regardless of the
various accolades that she has received for her humanitarian efforts, Mrs. Nirschel’s story in itself proves that,
with hard work, passion and endless determination, change is indeed obtainable.
Paula Nirschel has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously worked as a community
mental health worker for many years. Paula has three children and is surrogate mother in the U.S. to 33 young Afghan women.
A native of Hartford, Connecticut, she is an exercise enthusiast and enjoys traveling and reading.
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