Young Women of Distinction
Saara Bhanji – Board Member and Researcher, Justice for Girls International
With a passion for social justice and creative arts, Saara is a gifted leader who has already made a tangible difference in the world. During university, she proved herself not only a gifted academic, earning a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, but a dedicated volunteer and mentor. At age 21, Saara founded the Association of Women’s Action, Research and Empowerment (AWARE), a feminist organization that provides young women with opportunities for self-development, leadership and activism. Through AWARE, Saara strives to be a vocal champion for equality. Saara has also been recognized as a compelling role model for young Ismaili-Muslim women.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“As a volunteer with Battered Women’s Support Services and board member of Justice for Girls International, I believe that eliminating violence against women and girls is critically important. Due to funding cuts, women experiencing abuse often cannot access vital programs, counselling and advocacy resources. I support the YWCA’s preventing violence against women initiatives to help increase services available to women experiencing abuse.”
http://www.ywcavan.org_cast_your_vote
http://www.ywcavan.org/2010_Nominees/
http://ywcavan.org/Young_Woman_of_Distinction/
Ismailimail 