There are many paths to the work of building, collaborating, learning, educating, and dreaming of a just and humane world.

My path began the moment I was born into a Pakistani Muslim family, and continued as I was raised as a little brown girl in a largely white suburb in the midwestern United States.  The interesting combination of experiencing racism, homophobia, misogyny, and other forms of violence from a young age, yet growing up in a politicized home, led to the creation of a fiery, energetic, and impassioned youth activist and organizer.  It was over half my life ago that I was a teenager, learning about the dynamics of systemic oppression and creating workshops for my peers to learn the same, and unknowingly beginning my journey to become an educator.

Ever since I was given the language to be able to understand and share my experiences, I have been committed to supporting others in articulating their own experiences, and working together to recognize our own roles in the process of creating a better world.  My formal work has included, but is not limited to:
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- providing advocacy-based counseling for queer/trans survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence
- creating curriculum for and facilitating workshops on anti-oppression, patterns of power and control, relationship skills, conflict mediation strategies, and supporting marginalized individuals/communities in social service organizations
- working as a case manager at a domestic violence shelter for immigrant/refugee survivors
- providing consulting services for mainstream social service organizations on creating LGBT-inclusive programs
- providing coaching and guidance for fellow activists, social workers, and educators
- supporting youth activists in creating and implementing anti-violence campaigns
- supporting homeless/unstably housed young people in their path towards self-determination

In addition to this work, I have earned a Bachelor's degree in Women's Studies, and two Master's degrees in Teaching and Social Service Administration.  Though I have had the immense privilege of attending and receiving the benefits of "higher education", I firmly believe that the most vital knowledge we all hold is in our lived experiences, the whispers of our ancestors, and our own intuitive wisdom.  I am always learning and growing in these realms of knowledge, and my hope is to support my communities in doing the same.